Flying Dragon SH2-114 (opinion needed please)

[Comet Hunter]

OK, I need everyone's opinion
Do you like the Red Dragon on the right or number 2 in the middle or nether? please advise what you would do different?
And for those who have never seen or processed a raw astro image. #3 is what I started out with (so many stars)

 

[JimFox]

Hey Ed,

I like that you posted the original too. We have people who don't do astro viewing these, so I think it's nice to let them see what we are starting with sometimes.

This is another section I haven't captured yet. So it's great to see it first off. It's pretty cool looking.

I think #2 is too dark. #1 is bright enough, but too saturated. So for me, I would take #1, but back off on the saturation. There are some blown reds, and also the background is blue, but it should come across as black not blue.

 

[Comet Hunter]

Hey Ed,

I like that you posted the original too. We have people who don't do astro viewing these, so I think it's nice to let them see what we are starting with sometimes.

This is another section I haven't captured yet. So it's great to see it first off. It's pretty cool looking.

I think #2 is too dark. #1 is bright enough, but too saturated. So for me, I would take #1, but back off on the saturation. There are some blown reds, and also the background is blue, but it should come across as black not blue.

perfict, just what i was looking for.... thx

 

[AlanLichty]

Wow - that's a lot of recovery work. I am just used to seeing your final results. I am kind of partial to the first image but I am one of those non-astro guys who just enjoy the deep space color shows after someone else does all the work

 

[Mike Lewis]

Interestingly I think I echo Jim's comments. I like the colors of #1, but it is overly hot - maybe stretched a little far and/or too saturated. #2 looks like you left some faint details clipped so it could likely be pushed more, but I do not like the 'palette' as much as #1. And as also mentioned above, it is nice to show where these images start from, as there is a LOT that has to go into making a wonderful final result as you are showing here.

ML