This will create layer masks based on the in-focus areas of the images and you will get the final look. The next step will be selecting all layers and using the “Auto-Blend Layers” command under the Edit menu. Here, you can browse and load the images and Photoshop will load them into the layers panel as separate aligned layers. To stack these images by using Photoshop, simply go to the Scripts menu under File, and then select “Load Files into Stack”.
Mackie demonstrates the in-camera settings and how to select focus step width based on the subject. In this ten-minute video by Tom Mackie of Landscape Photography iQ, you will see how to use the focus stacking feature of Nikon D850 on-location. At this point, the cameras with built-in focus stacking feature might be handy for quick operation. In some cases, when shooting outdoors, a tethered shoot may be hard to setup, so you may have to shoot each focal point manually.
The first step can be done manually, but if you are shooting tethered in a studio, then you can use a third-party software like Helicon Focus Pro, remotely controlling your camera to automatically focus and shoot separate points. The technique has two steps the first step is the shooting, and the second one is merging the images via using a software, such as Photoshop. In addition, Helicon Focus has another program, Helicon Remote, which takes control of the camera, automating the process of focussing. Since I often stack dozens of images, the GIMP method would be, er, difficult. Merging these images creates a final image, where all parts are in focus. One thing, after viewing the GIMP video, Helicon Focus offers the advantage of being automated. It can be done manually focusing at different points, or you can use a camera like Nikon D850 to get it done automatically in-camera.įocus stacking is basically combining multiple images with different focus distances. automated focus stacking with promote control and nikon The Promote Control allows you to automatically create precise focus stacks with single or bracketed exposures.
I haven't tried this one, but some claim that it works very well, others claim that it works very well for the price.Focus stacking is a technique mainly used by landscape and advertising photographers. Fully compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, Linux, Mac OS. Software allows to focus stack macro photos in the browser.
While I'm at it, I may as well provide a link for a freeware focus stacking program, called CombineZP. Focus stacking online is the first free online focus stacking software.
Zerene also has several versions, including a Pro version, but I didn't see a notice about any current sales pricing. I haven't used either before, so I'm hoping that I made a good buy here.įWIW, I was also considering the purchase of Zerene, which is also claimed to be pretty good for focus stacking. The Pro version gets you the stacking software and their remote software. The Pro version is $40 off, so that pushed me over the edge and I purchased it. HF has a special price going from now until some time in January, 2013. I was just checking the latest info on both Helicon Focus and Zerene.
Just a heads up to folks who are on the fence about buying Helicon Focus, you may be interested in an ongoing sale that applies to all of their versions.