How to Process Nebula Astrophotography Images: Make those clouds pop!

This tutorial gives two methods I use to help make the faint cloud detail in emission and reflection nebula pop out from the background with more contrast.
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[@MrKClauss]

Awesome!!!! Took my images to the next level in less than a minute. Thanks a TON!!!!

[@Astrobloke]

Nice technique. I just took this image so will try that out on it. thank you

[@simonpepper5053]

Massively underrated channel! Your tutorials are always easy to understand, but you have loads of technical details as well please keep posting. Thanks

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you Simon! I appreciate that. Thanks for watching and stay tune for more tutorials down the road

[@garyfletcher1387]

Yes I totally agree your easy to follow and understand, brilliant channel mate.

[@simonpepper5053]

I should have also mentioned I used the archsin tutorial plus your layer masks tutorial for processing my heart nebula and it came out perfect previously I over noise corrected it and it looked fake not anymore. I will likely process it again with this method as well 👏 keep them coming I’m sure this will grow!

[@RaysAstrophotography]

Hi Aaron! Have a nice super bowl 🥣 Sunday weekend! Love your tutorials!

[@AVAstronomy]

Thanks Ray! You too bud!

[@AppaFPV]

Thank you!

[@enriqueboeneker]

Great tutorial, Aaron! I do prefer the mask-curves method better. Thanks for sharing!

[@AVAstronomy]

Thanks Enrique!

[@garyfletcher1387]

Keep the tutorials going mate there invaluable , think there great.

[@AVAstronomy]

Thanks Gary! Will do!

[@sajjadahmed46]

Thanks dude.. Recently took a picture of the cone nebula and this video will definitely help

[@AVAstronomy]

Glad to hear it!

[@unlucky5442]

thanks a lot! Currently working on the Cocoon Nebula and your tutorial really helped me bring out the dark areas without clipping it

[@terrypowell8900]

Another nice video, I like the mask-curves better.

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you and I totally agree. The curves method is definitely better

[@JZHGaming]

Excellent A.V.!!

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you!

[@AstroPixUK]

Brilliant once again Aaron. Beard looking very.... lockdown ish! haha Stay safe and clear skies!

[@AVAstronomy]

🤣. Yeah, I was starting to think the same after reviewing the footage lol! Clear skies to you as well.

[@EverydayAstro]

Great job, Aaron!

[@AVAstronomy]

Thanks Matt!

[@clearskiesastrophotography2251]

Morning Aaron

[@AVAstronomy]

Good morning!

[@lightningclips18]

Great video keep up the good work! 👍🏻

[@AVAstronomy]

Thanks, will do!

[@avt_astro206]

Nice Workflow !! very Good Tutorial.. Clear Skies 👍🔭🌌

[@AVAstronomy]

Thank you Deep Sky Hunter!

[@MrSpike2450]

Thanks again Aaron your videos are spot on. At what stage of stretching are you using the masks ?

[@AVAstronomy]

Thanks! I usually begin to use the mask after a couple stretches.

[@michaelasbury5473]

Sort of related to this subject, do you have any tips on bringing out the clouds in a dark nebula? I’m thinking of the Iris Nebula in particular. I imaged that a few months ago but just couldn’t get the dust clouds to pop. I don’t know if I needed longer exposure subs or maybe longer total integration time. I think I got around 4 hours on it. It also doesn’t help that I’m in a Bortle 8 zone.

[@AVAstronomy]

Hi Michael, great question. This could definitely work on that however, the data has got to be there. Iris is one of those targets that really does best at dark sites because it’s broadband. Bortle 3 or better to really capture that faint dust. But if the data is there this could certainly help.

[@michaelasbury5473]

@@AVAstronomy thanks so much for responding