PixInsight HaLRGB Workflow: Processing M51 (Whirlpool Galaxy)

Welcome back to Hidden Light Photography!

In this episode, I’ll walk you through a full PixInsight HaLRGB workflow for processing M51 – the Whirlpool Galaxy — one of the most iconic interacting galaxies in the night sky.

🌌 This is the continuation of a personal journey:
The third target I ever captured, revisited years later with better gear, more experience, and a promise to myself to do it right. Now that the data is in… it's time to bring it to life.

🎯 Whether you're working on your first HaLRGB target or refining your deep-sky workflow — this video walks you through every major step from raw channels to final image.

In this video, you'll learn:
📌 How to correct and process each channel (L, R, G, B, and Ha)
📌 Background modeling, noise reduction, and star handling
📌 Luminance-to-RGB integration techniques
📌 Continuum subtraction of Ha
📌 Proper Ha blending into RGB
📌 Sharpening, tone mapping, and final cosmetic polish
📌 And a few tips I’ve learned the hard way over the years!

This isn't just about processing — it's about learning how to bring out the soul of your data and respecting the light you've spent nights collecting.

🛠️ Gear used for capture (see Part 1 for full breakdown):
SkyWatcher 200P Newtonian Reflector
ZWO ASI2600MM Pro
Optolong LRGB + Ha filters
EQ6R Pro Mount
ASI585MC for guiding
Captured in NINA | Processed in PixInsight

📺 Watch Part 1 (Capturing M51):
👉    • Capturing the Whirlpool Galaxy (M51) — My ...  

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🛒 Support the channel by using my affiliate link at High Point Scientific:
👉 https://www.highpointscientific.com/?...

🧰 My full rig, recommended gear, and software list:
👉 https://hiddenlight-photography.com/b...

🧭 Explore more tutorials, downloads, and tools:
👉 https://hiddenlight-photography.com

📺 Related Videos:
👉 SPCC - Guide and How to Use
   • Mastering SpectroPhotoMetric Color Calibra...  
👉 SPCC Filter Manager
   • Unlock the Power of SPCC: New Filter Manag...  
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💬 Questions about Ha blending or PixInsight workflow? Drop them in the comments — I’m happy to help.
📧 [email protected]
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👉    / @hidden.light.photography  

00:00 Introduction
00:33 Overview
01:04 Organize the Datasets
02:23 Balancing the Color Channels
05:37 Align the Channels
10:53 Crop Stacking Artifacts
14:26 Extract the Background
17:22 Let's Get Colorful
18:44 Neutralize the Background
20:44 Adding Astrometric Solution
22:07 Color Calibrate RGB
25:28 Let's Bring in Detail
32:16 Remove and Stretch RGB Stars
33:30 Final Stretch RGB
34:43 Reduce RGB Noise
35:35 Final RGB Curve Adjustments
41:39 Luminance Final Stretch and Noise Reduction
42:38 Final Luminance Curves
44:40 Add Detail and Sharpening to Luminance
48:11 Combine LRGB
49:01 Ha Continuum Subtraction
50:36 Final Ha Stretch and Noise Reduction
51:36 Final Ha Curve Adjustment
53:19 Combine HaLRGB
55:53 Finalize Image Background
59:30 Let's Get a Final Image

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