Take And Edit A Focus Stacked Photograph
Blog entry
7th July
What you will learn: How to take & edit a focus-stacked photograph
Focus stacking is a digital image processing technique that combines multiple images taken at different focus distances to give a resulting image with a greater depth of field (DOF) than any of the individual source images.
CAMERA PROCESS
The basic idea is to mount your camera on a tripod, compose the shot, and then take a sequence of images while slightly shifting focus between shots. Here is a selection of ways that you could complete this part of the process.
Option 1: Manually shifting focus. This works best in live-view at full zoom or with focus peaking enabled.
Option 2: Manual focusing rail. One of the big advantages of using manual focusing rails is the avoidance of focus breathing. They also make it easier to execute a consistent step size.
Option 3: Automated focusing rail. This is the most advanced option: step sizes are electronically controlled, and you’re all but guaranteed a perfect stack.
Option 4: Automated stacking in-camera. Some cameras come with an internal focus stacking function, which allows you to define the start and endpoint of your stack, and the number of images you want it to take. In-camera focus stacking is a brilliant feature, as it allows you to precisely control the step size between frames and doesn’t require any additional equipment.
Option 5: The Helicon Tube. The Helicon Tube is a specialized extension tube that enables your camera to perform automated and software-controlled stacks. This is an ideal solution, that unfortunately only works for electronically controlled lenses.
Option 6: Handheld stacking. Handheld focus stacking is another way to create stacks without additional equipment. It takes a fair bit of practice and post-production, but it rewards you with maximum flexibility and images you wouldn’t be able to take otherwise. Unlike all of the other methods mentioned above, this one does not require a tripod, which makes it ideal for insects that won’t stand still for long.
Understanding the differences between RAW and JPEG Files
A RAW file is a file containing all of the information recorded by your camera's sensor during exposure. There is no compression or processing applied to the file by the camera. RAW files grant the ability to easily correct under or overexposed images without a drastic loss in quality.
In contrast, a JPEG file is a file that has been compressed by your camera and does not contain all of the information recorded by your camera's sensor during exposure. Rather, your camera has chosen certain information to discard. When using a JPEG file, the information in the brightest and darkest areas of your image has been lost and in a case of under or overexposure, the detail in these areas is not recoverable.
The process of focus stacking can be used for both landscape and macro photography.
You can use either Auto, Aperture P or Manual mode to complete both processes listed above. If you wish to refresh your memory on how to use Aperture P & Manual mode when using depth of field.
Take a read of my previous blogs, and click the link below.
Part of the focus stacking process is forming a final image within post-production as you have now got a range of focused images that need to be formed into one single photograph.
POST-PRODUCTION PROCESS
The main post-production editing software for this process is Photoshop, so if you have this program then follow Photoshop step-by-step.
I have included a step-by-step use for a free program called Gimp & Photoshop Elements.
Here is a link to download Gimp - https://www.gimp.org/
Here is a link to download a free 30-day trial for Photoshop Elements - https://fixthephoto.com/photoshop-elements-free.html
Photoshop
Here is a step-by-step downloadable guide or ‘YouTube Video to follow for this process.
Photoshop Elements
Here is a step-by-step downloadable guide or ‘YouTube Video to follow for this process.
Gimp
Here is a step-by-step downloadable guide or ‘YouTube Video to follow for this process.
After reading this blog you should have learnt about the different types of processes and equipment that you can purchase to help make a selection of focus stacked exposures. You can combine this process with the Bokeh effect and this process can be used for either a Landscape or Macro photograph.
You have three post-production processes to play with, so I hope that you will go away and have a go at this process.
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