It isn’t the first time I have done this, but it has been a while and I really didn’t know what I was doing.
For those that don’t know let me explain. When you take macro photos you have to decide what part of the flower you want in focus, and it can be hard. It would be nice sometimes to have the whole flower in focus.
To do that you do some focus stacking. It is basically where you take a series of photos where each photo focuses on a different part. Then in post you blend them all together and end up with a flower that is completely in focus.
Sounds easy, right?
Apparently not.
How many photos do you take? Does it depend on how far away from the subject you are? What camera settings do you use and what do they all mean?
I know with time I will work it out. I did watch some videos and ended up just following what they said. Wasn’t perfect, but you have to start somewhere, right?
This is a carrot flower and it was taken with 50 images.
I haven’t done anything else to it besides stacking the images and blending them. Boy it takes a lot time.
I don’t think this is a great photo, but it was more of an experiment.
I did have to set it up inside and get my tripod, Winston, out with my macro rail to help get the best image. I think you could really only do this outside if it was completely still and definitely with a tripod.. I have decided not to try that and just want to do it indoors.
I tried it with some other flowers. When I was outside yesterday I noticed some of my chrysanthemums lying on the ground, or growing that way. Yes I know I should have staked them, but I didn’t. I cut some and saw that they were leaning over and wondered if I could do an image I’ve wanted to do for a long time.
Robert Mapplethorpe has an image or two of tulips in a vase and they lean to one side. It is something I’ve always wanted to try and capture. Let me show you a photo.
A friend of mine who is a ceramic artist made me a round vase that looks like a ball. Different to these, but when I saw that the chrysanthemums were leaning over I wondered if they would work.
I did do some focus stacking with it, but I don’t think I really needed to.
I took around 35 photos for the stack, but in the end I only used 4, I think It was.
I thought these worked out well. I like the way they lean away from the vase.
Then I did another image but turned the flowers more towards me.
I like this one. I did have to make some changes so it would be square. I think it works better in this format.
Again, I took 35 photos but I only used 4.
I do think I want to do this more in the future, though I might have to wait until spring for flowers, but there is nothing to say I couldn’t do it with some other things to practice. Fun times ahead.
I really enjoyed this post Leanne and your beautiful images.
The colour of the chrysanthemums are stunning especially in your vase.
This is something I’ve been reading about recently and really want to try it.
I’ve been finding all my bits and pieces again 😁
So happy to hear you are finding your bits and pieces again Robyn, glad to hear you are getting back into it all again.
Thank you so much, I really enjoyed doing these photos, I want to do more I think.
You’ve got me thinking about trying this out myself… I’ve heard of it, but never tried it since I didn’t consider doing it on a macro-photography subject.
Macro is a bit harder, so I am finding out, but I think it is easier than people think. The camera takes the photos for you, and then software does the blending. The hardest part is working out what you will photograph, lol. Thanks Matt, let me know if you give it a go.
I gave it a shot (or 10) last night. I’ll let you know when I get it posted, though. The focus stacking was easier than I thought it would be, and makes me wonder what else Affinity Photo does that I should know about. O_O
Thanks for the idea.
I would like that Matt, love to see what you come up. It is easy isn’t it. Thanks for letting me know.
Blending those 50 photos must indeed have taken you ages! Four sounds more manageable and your chrysanthemum images are beautiful 🙂
Photoshop did it Sarah, I just selected the images and PS did the rest, I went and did something else while it was doing it. Thank you Sarah.
excellent wow fantastic 😍😍😍😍😍😍
Thank ou.
Interesting technique with some beautiful results.
Thank you Donna.
Beautiful. I have a little camera which actually does the stacking in the box. So I guess there must be software which helps to take the grunt out of the stacking
That sounds cool, I do it with my camera, but you have to set it up. Yeah, Photoshop will take all the images and stack them for you and I know others do too. Thank you IJ
Great photos, Leanne. I don’t have the patience to focus stack. I also like having the depth of field showing in my photos. Focus stacking is very laborious.
Thank you Egidio, so many people have said that, but I don’t think you need it, the camera does most of the work, and then photoshop. I should do a post on how it is done.
PS and other software are good at stacking images. It’s a photography trend a lot of people embrace.
They are good, and easy, which is good to know. I can see why.
Hi Leanne, did you try the focus stacking option available within your camera, or did you only change the focus using the macro rail? I have tried focus stacking when taking macro photographs of insects. It produces mixed results because of susceptibility to breezes and insect movement. The science behind it all is a dark art, I can find little guidance on the number of steps etc online.
Oh yes, Keith, definitely used the camera to do it, much easier and so much faster. I did all inside so I wouldn’t have to worry about all that, but I guess with insects you would need to be outside. I think you are right about the dark art. Tahnk you Keith, I think I will keep trying and see what I end up with. THank you Keith.
I don’t think I have the patience to focus stack
That seems to be a common theme, thanks Brian.
I have read about focus stacking briefly, but never tried it. I am still trying to master the multiple exposure thing – hard enough for me so far. This was a cool post. Thanks, Leanne!
It isn’t that hard, not really. I have never really done multiple exposures. Thank you Tim, glad you enjoyed.
Oh that one with orange flowers is lovely, Leanne. But this focus stacking requires a level of patience and focus that I’ll never have 😄.
It is surprising that so many people think it needs patience, the camera has focus stacking so it does all the work, and then photoshop. So pretty easy really. I think the hardest thing is working out how many photos you need.
I have played around a little too. Getting a proper subject is not easy to even begin with 😂. My OM-1 and OM-1 mk2 both have built in focus stacking and focus bracketing. For stacking the camera will do the work creating the images (99) but the final photo needs to be done with software. Bracketing requires a compatible OM lens but will ultimately give you a jpg.
In theory you can use bracketing handheld, and I did with a not bad result. Long story… lots of work even with in camera magic 😂.
I am starting to think the same about the subject. My fujifilm also has focus stacking which is what I have been using and then using photoshop to stack all the image.
Yeah, don’t think I could do it handheld. Thank you Ted.
Really excellent. I’ve tried focus stacking but didn’t have the patience. Maybe I’ll give it another try.
Thank you Joanne, I don’t know that patience is the key, but there is something.
Focus stacking macros is far more difficult with macros than landscapes because your depth of field is razor thin. Nevertheless, you are mastering it!
Yeah, I think the further away from your subjects you are the less the photos you need. Thank you Steve, I will keep trying.
Beautiful photos! I just learned about focus stacking from you! I don’t stake my chrysanthemums either and I thought I was the only one. Glad you didn’t either. 😁
Thank you, it is an interesting process. Apparently you aren’t the only one, I don’t do it either, didn’t realise I needed to, 😂😂
Now I’ve sometimes thought this MIGHT be something I’d like to master. But … know thyself. It ain’t gonna happen…
It isn’t that hard to do, but you do have to have software that will stack them for you after you have taken the photos. LOL
Thanks Margaret.
Which of course rules it out for me immediately!
Hahaha, I thought you might say that Margaret.
😊
I really like this technique. Thanks for sharing. Those chrysanthemums facing you is a lovely shot.
That’s good to hear Angeline, thank you.
I like your photo better than Mapplethorpe’s, Leanne. The vase is beautiful to start, but then the color of those flowers and how much they are leaning–I think it’s a fabulous photo.
I have to say that makes me happy to hear Lois, thank you. I like the way the flowers pop out.
Time intensive but so worth it.
Absolutely, though not as much time as you might think. Thank you.
I am a total rookie at B&W so I worked on a few this week, it looks okay but it’s a start. I’ll share on Wednesday. Have a great weekend.
Oh good, I look forward to seeing what you do.
I heard of it, but never tried it.
It is an interesting process.
Great focus stacking Leanne. I’ve never tried it since I don’t have the necessary gear or patience! I’ll leave that to you pros!
I don’t understand the need for patience Anne, it isn’t really hard to actually do, the camera does all the work, then Photoshop does the rest. I think that is why I want to keep trying. Thank you Anne.
Nice work. I have been telling myself to try this. Soon. The amount of detail in this last one is incredible. You can just zoom in and zoom in to reveal more. Excellent.
Thank you Popi. It is amazing how much detail you can get. I did use the cameras focus stacking to do it. Photoshop makes it easy to put it all together, which is also good. I think the hardest thing is setting it all up. I do like the results as well.