Lesson Description
Here you will learn how to use Art Gradient as your main tool for cleaning gradients and light pollution without destroying the real colour of the Milky Way. You will always work with a “subtle cleaning first” mentality: remove dominant little by little and leave the background more neutral. You'll understand why sometimes the ground looks “washed out” and why that's not a problem if you apply it in the sky/starless layer. In the end, it is the integration with opacity when you see it all together.
What you will learn
- Apply Art Gradient by duplicating your starless cape and being patient with the process.
- Controlling the slider Soft to neutralise colour without killing the Milky Way.
- Use Fort with control to attack harsher gradients without “turning off” the sky/ground transition.
- Choose strategy according to the case: single shot, separate sky/ground, tracked photo with airglow, or heavy contamination.
- Adjust the opacity so that the result looks natural once you see stars and layers again.
Advice
Always start with Soft and look for a middle ground that “cleans up” without leaving the grey sky dead. Only then does he add Fort if the gradient is still present, and in very strong pollution, don't overdo it: it is better to stay short and end up integrating with opacity.
Practical Checklist
- In your cloak starless, duplicate and apply Art Gradient using first Soft to neutralise the background without losing the colour of the Milky Way.
- Go to Fort gradually and check that you don't “turn off” the sky/ground transition too much.
- Re-display the stars and adjust opacity until the change is noticeable, but does not look artificial.
Technical Glossary
- Gradient: progressive change (usually in brightness or colour) in the sky due to light pollution, airglow or processing.
- Starless: starless sky layer, ideal for background correction without “breaking” stars.