Focus Stacking ~ T+MGP 07
Depth of field is one of those fundamental skills that photographers learn. If you’re new to photography then the principle behind depth of field can be simplified to a choice of aperture. A small f number gives a smaller depth of field and a bigger f number gives a bigger depth of field.
Of course in the real world there’s more to depth of field then simply the aperture used. You also need to take into account the focal length of the lens and the size of the cameras sensor.
But no matter what combination of focal length, aperture and sensor size used there will always be a limit to the depth of field that’s achievable. So if you want a truly massive depth of field then a single photo isn’t going to cut it. No, what you need is a series of photos of the same scene, all taken at different focal points. These can then be joined together using a technique known as focus stacking.
Focus stacking is a clever Photoshop trick which combines together the sharpest parts of a number of photos to create one image that has amazing depth of field. It’s quick, simple and if you have Photoshop CS4, CS5 or CS6 you can do it right now.
Equipment used in the video:
Canon 5D Mark II http://www.adorama.com/ICA5DM2.html?KBID=67338
Canon 24-105mm L f/4 IS http://www.adorama.com/CA24105AFU.html?KBID=67338
Gorillapod SLR Zoom Pro http://www.adorama.com/TPGPSLRZBC.html?KBID=67338
Great tutorial, thanks. I have a couple of questions if I may:
If the end result is sharpness throughout the image why did you still use F22 rather than say F11 where the lens will offer better quality?
Also, how do you deal with things that are moving in the image. In this case the waves are moving, some waves look better than others so how can you get the waves you want during the merge / stacking process.
Many thanks.
Bryan
Depends on the lens but f22 is pretty good on the 24-105. A faster shutter speed would give sharper waves.
Great video,as normal. I want to try this but i dont understand why there is no movement in the waves and sky? With this being a merging of a few photos i would expect movement or bluring?
I know what you mean but if one of the three images was sharp on the waves then that’s the one that makes the cut… Cleaver or what!
Yes, the 25-105 is pretty good at F22 but was there a reason you used F22 over, say, F11?
What I mean about the waves is that you are merging 3 different photos and the waves are all different in each one, so is there a way to tell PS to use a section of a particular image or do you just have to merge the waves from a particular image yourself manually?
Thanks.
Actually I am really wondering your answer for the question of Bryan Waddington. Like him, I also didn’t understand how to get over the artifacts moving things leave behind
“Yes, the 25-105 is pretty good at F22 but was there a reason you used F22 over, say, F11?
What I mean about the waves is that you are merging 3 different photos and the waves are all different in each one, so is there a way to tell PS to use a section of a particular image or do you just have to merge the waves from a particular image yourself manually?
Thanks.”
Actually I am really wondering your answer for the question of Bryan Waddington. Like him, I also didn’t understand how to get over the artifacts moving things leave behind
“Yes, the 25-105 is pretty good at F22 but was there a reason you used F22 over, say, F11?
What I mean about the waves is that you are merging 3 different photos and the waves are all different in each one, so is there a way to tell PS to use a section of a particular image or do you just have to merge the waves from a particular image yourself manually?
Thanks.”
Reply
You’re such a natural Gavin. I absolutely adore your technique and your easy going manner in which you explain what you are doing. Makes great viewing. Keep up the vids.
Thanks Brian 🙂
Brilliant as usual, thanks Gavin. So clearly explained. Is there a work round for the post processing techniques using Elements 9and RAW 6.3?
things like Photoshop are not a major strong point with me at the moment. Watching these vids, makes things that little bit easier.
I found the technique quite interesting too. Hadn’t even considered using this at all!
Enjoyed this tutorial and it encouraged me to go out and give it a go so a couple of related comments.
1 I notice in the video that you actually take 5 photos but only use 3. I’m wondering why though that may be answered in my next comment.
2 For my test shot I used all 5 photos that I’d taken and I notice that the stacking and blending actions have prodced some edge artefacts. Is aresult of the technique and is there any way to control this?
Here’s my test shot where you’ll see what I mean – http://www.rogw.net/temp/
Another great video Gavin…I might have to buy you a drink one of these days as a way of saying thank you.
Thanks a lot for this and all the other great tutorial you made.
as always Gav, nice tuts and straight forward explanations. Cheers! 🙂
Great stuff as always Gavin.
Awesome. Definitely need to try this technique. I had already heard of it but never tried.
Gavin, Firstly thanks for this tutorial, and all the others. I’m extremely new to photography but loving every minute of it. Your tutorials have helped immensely.
I’ve tried many of your techniques and although none have come out quite as good as yours, I am understanding them.
Keep up the good work.
Thanks
Thank you so much to share all this and to explain it so clearly!
Great Video Tips as usual Gavin, Hope to see More videos more often!
many thanks for excelent demonstration, I am leaving in Rossia
and wanna make photoatelier, anyone advice is good for me,
especially from this side,
sorry for my English
hi Gav, I’ve stumbled across your videos at random a week or so ago.. I,ve viewed quite a few now and find your relaxed teaching style a breath of fresh air. you take a bit of the fear out of post processing too. Thanks a lot and keep up the great work