This was complex to process. I hadn't seen very many images that bring out the background detail. The ones I saw were so beautiful. Many Horsehead and Flame nebulae images situate the nebulae against blackness or some wispy nebulosity.
I wanted to present these nebulae a little differently so knew what I was after from the outset, and I'm pleased that it worked.
I managed to collect a total integration time of about 12 hrs. RGB: Gain 140, exposure; 180 sec (142 subs, 7.1 hrs)). Ha: Gain 100, exposure: 240 sec. all at -10 C (74 subs; 4.93 hrs).