Volumes 2 and 3: Essential Image Processing


These two volumes are part of the continuing series of tutorials, called Making Every Pixel Count, by Adam Block.

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This continuing series of tutorials explores the fundamentals of CCD image processing. In-depth topics on the elements of image calibration, reduction, and manipulation lead to completely worked examples- from beginning to end! Modular sections stand alone so that the data processing demonstrate a WORKFLOW that is easy to follow and understand.

Maxim DL and Photoshop comprise the core suite of softwares for this two volume workshop. Over 12 HOURS of material make this the most comprehensive tutorial available anywhere. Other software such as Mira, CCDSharp, Noise Ninja, Russ Croman's Gradient X-Terminator, Ron Wodaski's Debloomer and even MS Excel make appearances. A special guest appearance by Doug George made for this tutorial to explain Calibration groups of Maxim DL is also included in Volume 2!

By the end of this instruction experience, you will not only be able to create beautiful pictures of the heavens- but also know how and why to make processing decisions that reduce noise, time, and frustration. While these two volumes can be purchased separately, they are logically coupled and self-referential. These tutorials assume proficiency in materials covered in Volume 1.

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DVD Contents (Sections):

Volume 2

  1. Introduction- 2 minutes
  2. CCD: Absorption of Light in Silicon- 26 minutes Photoshop, Maxim DL
    • A deviation from most tutorials, learn the effects of photon and electron interactions with respect to the CCD chip and the resulting images.
  3. A Tour of Maxim DL- 45 minutes Maxim DL
    • Uncover all of the tools that Maxim DL has to offer. Similar in style to the popular Volume 1- see menus and utilities explained in ways that you will find immeadiately useful for your own data.
  4. Hello Image: Investigating the Data- 25 minutes Maxim DL
    • No one is left behind in Adam Blockfs tutorials. Begin from first principles and ideas. gHello Imageh harkens back to a programmerfs approach to writing their first program- code that simply prints gHello Worldh on the screen.
  5. Calibration: Biases, Darks, Flats- 57 minutes Maxim DL
    • Learn everything you need to know about these essential calibration data. How many to take? How to combine them? All common questions are answered with background reasons.
  6. Maxim DL's Set Calibration Utility with Doug George- 15 minutes Maxim DL
    • Guest appearance by Doug George. Listen to the designer of the software and owner of the company (Cyanogen) explain how to use the Set Calibration Utility!
  7. G2V Calibration: How to Create and Compute- 32 minutes Maxim DL
    • Ever thought you couldnft be bothered with this gmysterioush measurement? Learn how easy it is to acquire (2 minutes) and measure (2 minutes). You will be able to produce consistent color in your images with ease.
  8. Deblooming- 11 minutes Maxim DL, Ron W. Debloomer
    • Getting rid of blooms is a cinch with software nowadays. See how Maxim DL and Ron Wfs algorithms handle the task. Learn when to do it and why.
  9. Image Registration- 20 minutes Maxim DL, Mira
    • Not properly aligning data is akin to gshooting your self in the footh by artificially blurring data that you spent hours collecting. See how different programs like Maxim DL and Mira handle this essential part of processing.
  10. Deconvolution- 22 minutes Maxim DL, CCDSharp
    • A little background information on the subject coupled with worked examples in both Maxim DL and CCDSharp. Make this section a must for one of the most magical aspects of processing.
  11. Sky Color Neutralization- 11 minutes Maxim DL, Photoshop
    • Learn to adjust the black levels of the color channels independantly to always yield a pleasing sky color (gray) in your images. Examples shown in Maxim DL and later in Photoshop.
  12. The WorkFlow- 17 minutes Maxim DL, Photoshop
    • Outlined in easy to manage steps that will lead to the next section.
  13. Complete Example NGC 3893- 126 minutes Maxim DL, Photoshop, Mira, Ron W's Debloomer, CCDSharp, Noise Ninja
    • Process this beautiful spiral galaxy from beginning to end. No hand waving here- everything is presented for you to see, step by step. Note the length of this section!
  14. Credits
DVD Contents (Sections):

Volume 3

  1. Introduction- 2 minutes
  2. Computing the Plate Scale- 12 minutes
    • A calculation every imager should know how to do instantly! Just with just a few numbers and a calculator you can determine your field of view, the resolution of your data and even how long you have to effectively image a (rotating) planet.
  3. AutoStretch- 18 minutes Maxim DL
    • This topic covers the inscrutable feature in Maxim DL as well as explicates the concerns of bit space with respect to scaling and saving images.
  4. Digital Development- 26 minutes Maxim DL
    • Sliders are great, but do not fear the numbers! Learn how to achieve consistent results in Maxim DL that you can apply to all kinds of data. This section emphasizes the proper use of the gsharpeningh (unsharp mask) effect of the algorithm.
  5. Sigma Rejection in Depth- 33 minutes Maxim DL, MS Excel
    • Has anyone actually explained to you how it works? See an example take from real data and watch the values of pixels to see how the algorithm(s) work. Understanding this tool can be a powerful asset in producing images with less noise- which makes subsequent processing that much easier!
  6. Image Differences- 19 minutes Maxim DL
    • A surprising hit at last yearfs AIC conference. Learn that subtracting one image from another can be a great tool for various kinds of applications.
  7. Problem Images: What to Look for- 20 minutes Maxim DL
    • Does your data resemble one of these pictures? See what some common problems look like in case you have them- or encounter them in the future.
  8. Saturn- 41 minutes Maxim DL, Photoshop
    • Want to run rings around your peers? Try some of these techniques to your planetary data. Though processed from the perspective of a small sample set (how it used to done before Webcams), you can use these ideas on all planetary data.
  9. Ha Blending- 75 minutes Maxim DL, Photoshop
    • Process an exotic image from gdown under,h the HII regions in the LMC provide the perfect example to demonstrate blending Hydrogen alpha data into both the luminance and Red channels to produce a beautiful L(Ha), R(Ha)GB image!
  10. The Power of the Median Filter- 12 minutes Photoshop
    • Two striking examples in Photoshop show how this technique can improve your images and save you time in cleaning them.
  11. Curdle Reduction and Color Correction- 18 minutes Photoshop
    • Two more example techniques in Photoshop for quickly eliminating common problems in your pretty pictures.
  12. Five Ways to Remove Gradients- 46 minutes Maxim DL, Photoshop
    • Can you think of 5 off the top of your head? I show them to you on real data!
  13. Credits
Music written and performed by Riki Newell
c Riki Newell. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Contact: P.O. Box 30875
Tucson, AZ 85751 [Phone (520) 290-0859]

Music by Soul Food
From the album: VolumeII: Guitar Meditations

Also Featuring
Astronomer James Webb (FIU): Selections from Cosmic Guitar
Jason Block (yes, my brother!): "Liquid" and "Its All Relative"

All data for worked examples are included on the DVD.

This is a data DVD meant for display on a computer using a web browser (Macromedia Flash files). It will not play on a TV. Macintosh users are now supported! Photoshop CS or later is reccomended.

Personal Videos

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In addition I hope to tailor these video productions to current needs of the astronomical imaging community. Please do not hesitate to let me know topics you would like included in future DVDs.