My take on the fabulous M17; also called the swan or omega nebula.
For this image I experimented with
@Adam Block's "variable multiplier" technique, where the individual narrowband filter's contributions are manipulated using image maps (like Ha*OIII or Ha*SII). This gives a lot of control over the composition of the image, and can help control the strong Ha signal while revealing the weaker OIII and SII signals in areas of channel overlap. I quite enjoyed it and will definitely be using it in my future narrowband images. Thanks
@Adam Block!
With this image the challenge was to showcase the SII/Ha 'gas fronts' in the OIII rich main body of the 'swan'. Quite a lot of interesting details could be pulled out here. Furthermore the weaker sulfur signal could the amplified in the nebula complex adjacent to the 'swan', to create an interesting composition color-contrast wise.
I think the violet through dark-red hues produced by this color mapping contrasted against the standard gold and blue SHO hues are quite unique to the object. Overall I am very pleased by the final result.
M17 is quite bright at its center and it was a challenge to keep this area under control during processing. I used PI HDR multiscale transform and Local Histogram Equalization to control the brightness and put back some contrast in the brightest areas of the image.
Hope you enjoy!
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