my first half decent milky way

Hi guys, I got up early this morning to shoot the ISS and had some time to spare, so had a go at the milky way, and this is by far the best result I have done. 10, 30 second shots 10 darks and blended in DSS. just confirming darks are the same exposure times but with no light entering? Default DSS settings bar using the median setting.

What can you guys see that I could do to improve what I have. The image was very white and washed out in DSS but when exported (with default settings embedded but not affected to image) I loaded into PS and this is exactly what I got. It is totally different in contrast to the DSS image.
I have done no PS mods bar a small crop to remove the cut off edges, so I assume there is more I can extract from it?

This was taken about 2 hours ago and about an hour before sun up looking almost 90* up. I only had a go as I had about 15 minutes before the ISS, so it was a quick and dirty attempt, yet has instantly become my best so far.......and made my ISS photo seem totally boring!.... which it is in reality.

I used my 17-85@ 17 mm ISO 1600. I could have got the focus better, full size is a little OOF, but it is masked at this size.

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Since you had edit ok for your images, I had a play.

Literally 2 mins with CS3

Used levels, contrast, and a few tools I have.

I didn't take any time on it, it was 2 mins and have over processed it. But shows you what is in the image yet alone the RAW data.

Loads and loads of data in this image for you to pull out if you take your time.

Really nice Wide Field image and congrats

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wow very awesome! I am motivated to try this myself now

obnoxiousmom: yes, head out and have a go!

Catanonia wrote in post #9870802
Since you had edit ok for your images, I had a play.
Literally 2 mins with CS3
Used levels, contrast, and a few tools I have.

I didn't take any time on it, it was 2 mins and have over processed it. But shows you what is in the image yet alone the RAW data.

Loads and loads of data in this image for you to pull out if you take your time.

Really nice Wide Field image and congrats

Thanks! I was very surprised for me when I first looked at them as I normally haven't been able to get this sort of color out of my shots at all up until now. I think the dark sky has helped a lot. I have a fair amount of light in my area till way past my bedtime, but thismorning, even though it was only a half hour before the east started getting light, straight up was plenty black.

I figured there would be more info to extract, thanks for that quick edit catatonia.
I still have the tiff DSS outputted, and the original raws of course, so I will have a play this afternoon when I get home.

As far as working it, Some more contrast I assume is a given, but how do I know when I have clipped too much off? Also did you need to mess with the color balance at all or is it pretty close as is?

"and a few tools you have" anything special in that toolbox of yours?

Oh, one more question if I may: Why was this image almost totally washed out in DSS, yet simply opening it in PS this was the result? I thought I was going to get the same image in PS as was in DSS????

ok, one more Q promise
Do you mind if I have a play tonight and post some up to get some feedback from you gurus?

Catanonia wrote in post #9870802
Since you had edit ok for your images, I had a play.

Literally 2 mins with CS3

Used levels, contrast, and a few tools I have.

I didn't take any time on it, it was 2 mins and have over processed it. But shows you what is in the image yet alone the RAW data.

Loads and loads of data in this image for you to pull out if you take your time.

Really nice Wide Field image and congrats

thats very cool how you brought out all that detail.

cool shot!

i love it

i got a new sigma 150-500 mm and ill try it 2moro

1. DSS always shows it lighter than PS
2. Levels are the main thing to play with to ensure colour balance. If a normal unmodified DSLR, then no real need to worry.
3. Contrast and brightness indeed are what you need along with levels. Just don't cut off the left hand side of the levels chart, the blacks.
4. The tools, well, search for Noels Actions Plugin for PS, well worth the small amount you pay for it.

Good luck.

ADL: it might be a bit tight at 150, I shot this at 17mm, and really wanted to go wider still.

Thanks Catatonia, I still haven't had a chance to play with it, I was out all weekend, but after seeing how much you pulled out of it, I'm certainly going to spend time learning processing this sort of image.