Software

My processing workflow is built around the usual astrophotography rhythm: capture clean data, calibrate and stack carefully, remove gradients, stretch the signal, and finish the image without losing the character of the target.

Deep-Sky Processing

For deep-sky images I scaffold the workflow around tools like Siril for calibration, registration, stacking, background extraction, photometric color work, and stretching. GraXpert is a natural fit for gradient cleanup and background refinement, especially with data captured under imperfect Dutch skies. And since the setup is still in short exposure mode noise reduction tools like CosmicClarity denoise or Syqom Prism are essential to remove some (NOT ALL!) of the grain.

Star and Detail Work

Syqon Starless or similar star-separation tools are useful when a target benefits from treating stars and nebula or galaxy detail independently. Final contrast, color, saturation, and cleanup can then happen in Affinity depending on the image.

Lunar and Planetary Processing

For high-frame-rate lunar and planetary data, the stack usually looks more like PIPP for preparation, AutoStakkert! for stacking, RegiStax for wavelets and sharpening, and a final pass in Affinity for color and presentation.