Orion Nebula (M42) with a DSLR, Start to Finish - Deep Sky Astrophotography

Join me as I show you every step of capturing and processing the Orion Nebula (M42) with a DSLR, small telescope, and an iOptron SmartEQ mount. Links/resources here: nebulaphotos.com/resources/m42
This video will show processing with DeepSkyStacker and Adobe Photoshop. If you use GIMP or PixInsight, you can watch up to 01:17:00 and then switch to one of these videos:
PixInsight - • Orion Nebula (M42) wit...
GIMP - • Orion Nebula (M42) wit...
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PRODUCT LINKS:
iOptron SmartEQ Pro+: amzn.to/2Fdek3d
Canon T6i: amzn.to/2tryDXT
Telrad Finderscope: amzn.to/35ihFJ5
Astrotech AT60ED: www.astronomics.com/astro-tec...
Astrotech Field Flattener: www.astronomics.com/astro-tec...
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Patreon: / nebulaphotos
Twitter: @nebulaphotos
Instagram: @nebulaphotosdotcom
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MUSIC: Glass Beach by Bio Unit is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike License.
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Table of Contents
00:00 Intro
04:49 Gear choices
26:51 DSLR settings
38:38 Planning with dso-browser.com
47:00 Setting up and imaging
1:04:21 Taking calibration frames
1:09:28 File organization and preparation
1:16:54 DeepSkyStacker
1:31:18 Adobe Photoshop

[@MicheleUrukHai]

I spend all my free time learning astrophotography on videos, blogs, books etc. But this is the best walkthrough I've ever seen. Extremely detailed, helpful, well explained content people can find on web. Thank you very much for your hard work.

[@chriskaprys]

Incredible. I just discovered astrophotography last night and I feel like I woke up from the matrix. Dizzy with delight. Thank you for ... ALL of this.

[@theorncampbell4432]

HA! Same, I wanted to look at Saturns rings sometime this month and learned of these set ups and methods just last night.

[@hbastronomer517]

Good, you're finally awake. We've been waiting for you. In all seriousness though, I hope you are still exploring astrophotography.

[@NanoByteGaming670]

When I looked at the moon I wasn't dizzy with delight... I was jumping off walls and litterally having a seizure.

[@sirschanzelot]

You are doing such precious work here.... teaching us beginners your techniques for free in such a detailed way! Thank you so much!

[@niyatisarkar33]

Usually talented people start as small, but at last, they win. You too deserve a great fame unlike other youtubers who only share their experience and knowledge as a glimpse of their skill and make money fast.

[@cletepfeiffer3469]

Terrific video! Very very helpful! Thank you so much for spending the time to teach this stuff. It is genuinely appreciated!

[@kamcma1]

This video is very informative and obviously effort went into putting it together. Thank you.

[@llavi01]

I love how detailed you are explaining how you process your images. Great video!

[@duggus777]

Thanks Nico, I’ve watched quite a few videos on this topic but this was the one that connected all the dots for me. Great work and amazing photos.

[@thebeardedgeordiephotography]

This is EXACTLY what I needed to help me get started. Thanks so much!

[@KBGtone]

Great job! Understood all the processing steps. Going to watch it a few more times and put this valuable information to work. Thank you very much Nico!

[@stevewilsonAmbropoetica]

Wow, amazing... Thank you for sharing the whole process. It truly helps a lot!!!

[@gooner9038]

These are really great! The step-by-step approach is super helpful to novices like myself. Looking forward to more.

[@brentonrasheed384]

Fantastic to go through the process with you Nico! Appreciated!!

[@prabhakarrao4922]

By far the best tutorial I’ve come across. My heartfelt thanks to you for putting this together.

[@wanderingquestions7501]

Excellent presentation. Many details clearly explained that others neglect to mention. Thanks!

[@Zaris1021]

This is the best walkthrough ive seen thank u!

[@alexlandrum8871]

I’ve been photographing for a while now and this basic walkthrough still helped a lot as it even explains the principles of more advanced techniques like plate solving. Great vid

[@tonyhaz6664]

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this video, it’s the best one I’ve watched with detail covering everything needed, and the how to use DSS was just what I needed, only used it once and just added lights as didn’t know what to do with darks, lights etc. I shall be watching it again as the PS editing I need to learn too. You covered so much and I have so much more hope my next nights shooting of Orion Nebula will improve loads. 👍🏻✅

[@Nottsboy24]

Orion Nebula ☺ kzbin.info/www/bejne/boisXpWshb-ckLs

[@NebulaPhotos]

Tony Haz glad it helped!! Clear skies Tony!

[@revpatrickchand]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I will share what I have learned once the stars show themselves

[@truthseeker5890]

Very nice. A wonderful "tone of voice" for teaching, also. Fabulous job. Thank you for doing this.

[@raincntry2657]

This is great. Very clear, very detailed.

[@dawsonjackson9187]

This was SO LONG but SO WORTH IT! Thank you so much! Just captured my first Orion set last night, only about 25 minutes before the clouds rolled in. I can't wait to use your tips on editing!

[@samsen3965]

So three years later and can you update me as to your where you are being in the world of astrophotography today? Just curious.

[@galileo5854]

Greatest tutorial i have seen. Thank you very much!

[@sanjaynagarakatti]

Thank you for a great video. Just started astrophotography and this is a great resource. Have watched different sections several times as I go through my own set up.

[@mike91188]

As others have said, thank you SO much for taking the time to create this super in depth outline. I can easily translate the knowledge you have given me for MANY other uses. very much appreciated.

[@markgraham4503]

Boring snore

[@astrojourneyuk]

Wow, so much detail in the processing side of things. Great video, thanks.

[@dranrebnor]

You are a genius and thank you for your time sharing your hard earned experiences to us.

[@GalacticHunter]

Excellent in depth tutorial and great final image!

[@Nottsboy24]

Sure is good ☺

[@Tihpem]

What a good and easy to follow video. Now I really wana image Orion Nebula and then start processing having this going next to it to guide me all the way!

[@By.ozalsa]

One huge gigantic thanks for this amazing tutorial 🙏.

[@Creeno1]

By far the best 'walkthrough' I've seen. Ever. Yes, it is quite long. And I can only imagine the time and effort gone into this. But it is totaly worth the watch. Thanks a lot for this video.

[@huexley]

The BG removal is pure genius !

[@pnousiai]

Absolutely fantastic video for beginner astrophotographer like me! Thank you very much and keep up good work!

[@robertnovak7433]

Awesome, thanks for this type of video, very helpful!!!!

[@peteallennh]

Okay Nico, I’m ready to walk through this whole process. You’ve hooked me. I have the old Canon T2i all set, manual settings, GEM to hold it, and GIMP on the laptop, wireless intervalometer, etc. My first attempts were okay, but I wasn’t well aligned. Once I sort that, I am really excited about the rest of the process. Thanks a million for making this video!

[@ronaldsoltis4576]

Very well done and informative. Looking forward to more.

[@catpool]

Perfect tutorial, thank you very much.

[@jamesa373]

Thank you for sharing this, what a excellent video and great tutorial. I would reccomend taking some notes for anyone watching this and then watching it side by side when it comes to the stacking and photo shop processes. Thanks once again :)

[@ItsDrPancakes]

Been looking for something like this. Awesome video.

[@bobpilz1021]

Impressively good tutorial. Many you-tubers seem afraid to put out long videos due to short attention spans of many people these days. I am glad you have gone the detailed rout no matter the time. Thanks for all the hard work. Incidentally, your audio is excellent.

[@NebulaPhotos]

Thanks, I've had a few negative comments about the length or level of detail, but most people seem to be reacting positively to it. I appreciate your comment!

[@WilliamCadiz]

Every time Nico turned the light off to polar align or whatever needed done, he should have changed his hat or put on a different jacket. It would have been so funny! As someone who is just starting out with astrophotography, this was a lot of information! But thank you for taking the time to walk through the routine step by step

[@JohnICGomes]

Best coverage on the end to end process...!

[@nilaya80]

This video explained all my questions. Thank you very much

[@lukesastro2380]

Great Tutorial, thank you for sharing. Clear Skies!!!

[@ianmcclelland2524]

Can't thank you enough. Excellent video

[@unrealspetznaz]

This video is amazing. I watched it from the very beginning to the very end, and will probably watch it again. THANK YOU.

[@NebulaPhotos]

Glad it was helpful!

[@winstoneaton4468]

You are one fantastic human being! Thanks.

[@billynightmare]

I really like your videos, very easy to follow a true start to finish!

[@dizznizz314]

DUDE! Amazing video. I just got a 70mm Meade APO Quad, AVX mount, and the exact same T6 you used in this video. I was kinda bummed as a lot of KZbinrs have dedicated astronomy cameras and I was beginning to think I wouldn't get very good results. Not only did you school me, you restored my hope. Please keep making videos man!

[@NebulaPhotos]

Awesome! You will have fun with that set up!

[@NatarajanGanesan]

No other video has made me more confident with levels and curves than the series of uploads here.

[@jcass6671]

Best astrophotography video on KZbin!! Really helps out some of the newer people just getting started in AP!

[@NebulaPhotos]

JCass thanks for the kind words!

[@rjg82070]

Thanks so much for this! Very helpful!

[@MathaGoram]

A short thank you is wholly inadequate for any one of the videos you have prepared. What can I say about the entire collection other than to toss in some superlatives. You, sir, are in the company of the best teachers I have encountered all my life; it is a short list but you made the cut! Hope to see you uploading videos for years to come.

[@CitizenSniiiips]

Great video. This has been something I've been hoping someone would make. Just started my journey into astro and purchased my first scope last week. This video and your previous one will be super useful for me!

[@darcyprice2387]

Make sure your bank account is not running on over draft because the more you learn the more you might spend on this addictive hobby.

[@michaelmorris5116]

I've been looking through my 8" Meade for years but astrophotography is so very new for me. Everything was confusing until I came across your video which I must say is excellent and free for everyone. I live in Hawaii and light pollution here really sucks. Anyway, you'd make a good teacher and thanks for your help.

[@waseemtoma5458]

Love your work mate keep it up and thanks for the effort you're a champion.

[@waynerogers5485]

Fabulous presentation. You have a wonderful manner and message delivery. I really appreciate that as much as the depth and clarity of demonstration and instruction. Thank you very much.

[@NebulaPhotos]

Thanks Wayne! Clear skies, Nico

[@jameswarner4831]

Extremely helpful - thank you!

[@richardr3178]

Very nice video Nico! Very informative!

[@Mobius3c273]

Thanks so much for this in depth video. I come from a visual astronomy background and have a dedicated Planetary camera ZWOASI178 and large 9.25imch telescope but I am moving towards deep sky AP. I am quite an experience amateur astronomer. However I find this video very useful as I need to approach this field from a photography perspective. I need to go back to first principles. This basic video is ideal and not rushed like many others. I have already learned a surprising amount from this video. Many thanks

[@davew1234]

What a great video. You’ve taught me a lot, thank you 👍

[@gianniformica8235]

Now that...is what you call a tutorial. Thank you for taking the time to put this together.

[@NebulaPhotos]

Glad you enjoyed it Gianni!

[@davethinkingsystems]

absolutely brilliant. thanks for this

[@frankie4laaaaaa]

Such a helpful vid - thanks dude!!

[@DeepSpaceDad]

Great walkthrough. Thanks!

[@robyone7729]

Oh my god, your video is just perfect for my study! I'm too much to study from zero. Thank you so much!

[@DawnFurness]

Really interesting video, very useful and clear! Thank you! x

[@killerbud69]

Great PS Tutorial! Love it!

[@mamessner]

Watched this end to end. Really appreciate you taking the time to put this together. You saved all of us many hours of searching for this information piecemeal.

[@NebulaPhotos]

Hi Michael, Glad it was helpful! Clear skies, Nico

[@bommel7047]

Much respect for your effort, I appreciate that!

[@marksims8690]

Amazing!!! So much time and effort. Greatly appreciated.

[@NebulaPhotos]

Thanks Mark! Glad it was helpful

[@dgoddard]

There is a lot of tutorials on YT that show a lot of different things about AP. But when I want to get in depth with something, I come find your tuts. Great job on this one! I learned so much about the post processing which is where I feel I'm the weakest. I appreciate the time you took to make this in depth tutorial. Thank you!

[@NebulaPhotos]

Thank you! Appreciate the kind words.

[@bjmoodie1]

After over a year of trawling KZbin, and viewing many instructional videos, your's wins the prize. Many thanks for this awesome tutorial.

[@NebulaPhotos]

Brian Moodie you’re welcome, glad you liked it!

[@av-ji9qy]

Excellent excellent video ......thank you for going through the entire process

[@flyingmedic]

I spent 3 evenings watching this in detail. The teaching is superb and so professional in its presentation. I am quite new to photoshop and you have helped me enormously. Thanks again:-) Paul

[@Harv3st]

Wow, I had no idea there was so much of a process with editing. I still have allot to learn.

[@MikeViker]

This guy is the best, a true astrophotography master.

[@bram1772]

Great video Nico, thank you very much. Very informative and great detail, well presented. This answered a lot of questions!

[@NebulaPhotos]

Glad it helped Bram!!

[@miketronix]

Bravo Joshua! Keep it up!

[@ricedumplings3767]

That's the best DSA tutorial for beginners! Thanks a lot!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm going to watch it again and again XD

[@NebulaPhotos]

So glad it was helpful! Clear skies!

[@FROGGS01]

Thanks for this step by step guide, helps alot.

[@NebulaPhotos]

No problem! Clear skies!

[@aesarikaya]

Dear Nico, You're making very long but perfect walkthrough videos. I'm from Turkey and I've recently started astrophotography and you're videos helping me very much. Thanks for that !

[@NebulaPhotos]

Dear Ali, Very glad that my videos are helpful for you! Clear skies, Nico

[@monsyschuller3561]

GREAT tutorial! Just beginning with astrophotography, thanks for taking the effort to get me/us started!

[@Ardjekwartje]

Extremely useful! Thanks!

[@sporter555]

Thank you very much. So helpful!

[@DzMx]

Thank your for your deep explainer. Just the right balance in details.

[@NebulaPhotos]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful

[@feketehou6573]

this must be the best video i've ever seen about astrophotography

[@NebulaPhotos]

thanks!

[@newtonamary6353]

FROM PARIS ....Very best introducing and tips and explain i ve seen since 4 years ...BRAVO ! félicitations

[@NebulaPhotos]

Thanks newton amary! Clear skies, Nico

[@jorylor]

Simply amazing. Thank you.

[@drummingspain207]

2:13:35 kitty translation: "Come on you've been on that thing for hours.... where's my tea?!!!" Really great vid - many thanks for all your efforts!

[@Paul-of3ut]

Excellent tutorial thankyou so much for taking your time to help us,by far the best video tutorial I've come across. Thankyou

[@achimfreyer1138]

this is a fantastic tutorial to process nebulas. Thanks a thousand times. Just did mz firt one using 60 mins of data. the result is breathtaking. Waow!

[@NebulaPhotos]

Love seeing comments like this Achim! Very glad it was helpful

[@stuartmcloughlin]

Superb video - thank you!

[@robertsipes7391]

A super like! Thanks for sharing.

[@Bar_Bar27]

It looks so fun and so peaceful! I wish I had someone to do this with.. lots of fun!!

[@NebulaPhotos]

It can be very peaceful! Look for a local astronomy club to find people to do it with.

[@farrjarr]

I'm hooked. Just bought a goto .. so I'm learning.. gr8 information. Many thanks.

[@NebulaPhotos]

Great, Congrats on the goto!

[@marstrooper2045]

Great video, this will help me post process my latest capture of the Orion Nebula.

[@woody5109]

Western Canadians appreciates your efforts, thank you.

[@billvinson7859]

Thanks, this is a really important class for getting this all right. Thanks a lot. ❤❤❤

[@StardustAstronomy]

Great video with all details