Focus Stacking in Macro Photography

[@StewartWoodArt]

Check the next video in this series about handheld focus stacking: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fqDalIeKpJipnLs

[@-WhizzBang-]

I use Photoshop, but I also use software called Helicon Focus, which also works great.

[@Q8Police777]

Years later you're videos are really helpful out of the most ive found on youtube

[@b0nvivant]

I ran into the same issue recently where I was trying to capture a tiny succulent from front to back using this technique and missed focus on two planes, ended up having two blurry spots. It was my first attempt ever at multiple shots but learned quite a bit after going through the entire processing. Also, I use the exact camera setup so your videos feel very related and I get to learn quite a lot. Thank you for that!

[@StewartWoodArt]

Awesome, focus stacking is that one thing that took me some time to work out.

[@ulriktnnesen5987]

Another thing that is important when stacking is too keep your light and color balance as even as possible, otherwise you will end up with a stacked image with a zebra pattern of varying light. I have done that once with a stack of 150 images. Had to start over :P

[@sammakin4325]

This is the best tutorial I've seen so far. Thanks!

[@frenkyb123]

I like your 'behind the scenes' at the end :)

[@roderickwho1983]

Jesus, Steward, thats some horrible sunburn ! Reminds my of the time, back in June when I took a boat out to the Saltee islands and left my factor 50 and my hat back in the car. Five hours later I looked like a traffic light stuck on red. SPent the next week shedding skin like a python... Great series of videos - many thanks.

[@StewartWoodArt]

I'm shedding right now lol

[@stephenstevenson1900]

Brilliant video Stewart. I am so looking forward to your next video. Thanks again for sharing!

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you Stephen.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Hope you enjoy this video. Please Remember To LIKE & Comment/Share On These Videos!

[@woodmum]

Nasty sunburn mate.. great video and yeah.. looking forward to the next one.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thanks :)

[@tomlee812]

I like your presentational style and teaching methods. It's clear you are a real world photographer and are happy to share the hard bits and the mistakes, from which we can all learn. I have used a demo version of Zyrene and it works very well. Like you though I don't do enough stacking to justify the full package. I use Corel's PainshopPro (I have for years) rather than Photoshop but unfortunately they don't have a stacking option. I really enjoyed this video though and I too have a crappy focus rack somewhere in the cupboard! Thanks for an entertaining channel.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you Tom, hope you enjoy future videos :)

[@nitenurse48]

I'm a 'brummie' so easily understood your video, for quicker rendering of the stack that photoshop does nothing beats the Helicon focus software combined with Helicon remote to take the stack.

[@ThisIsSaipanCNMI]

Not sure if anyone has suggested a test of Helicon Focus, but you might consider doing a video comparison. You'll definitely SEE the difference. Cool vid!

[@StewartWoodArt]

I have contacted both party’s about doing a review and comparing the two software but I never got a reply.

[@ThisIsSaipanCNMI]

@@StewartWoodArt That's sad. I would've loved to see a comparison review of them.

[@Brenda-xc7sq]

You explain techniques really well. I look forward to your stacking in the field video.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you Brenda, I do try ;)

[@jacktaylor6190]

Great video Stewart! I have been using a rail for years for all of my photos, with my eyesight I have to always focus in live view and the rail is great for those last changes for a perfect focus.

[@StewartWoodArt]

I used to do that Jack when using my 50mm on extension tubes but since getting my dedicated macro lens I just use the focus ring now to do minor focusing adjustments.

[@sarajitsil]

Thank Stewart for this wonderful video. Will look forward to see your handheld stacking technique. Cheers!

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you :)

[@RayanAmarasekara]

I recently started watching your videos and they are so informative and interesting. keep it up. congratz from New Zealand

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you for the support Rayan.

[@andersalmstrom77]

Brilliant explanation as always and i must say im looking forward to the coming videos of the more deep dive on focus stacking

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you mate.

[@paulm8157]

Well done, Stewart! Good point about focusing rail - have been through a few of them; in one case I had to wedge a sliver of rubber between the moving rails to firm up the mechanism. Without the rubber insert, even with tightening screws, the unit jiggled. Perhaps a vid comparing different rails (design, screw drive, et al) would be very helpful. (Vid should have shown final PS steps - save, close - to return to LR.) Look forward to the follow up.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Yeah, there are alot of cheap ones out there. As for the save and close, I wanted to keep things simple in this video. The next video will cover focus stacking in more detail.

[@michaelricks1618]

Just getting into focus stacking - using "Affinity Photo" - so this was very helpful indeed. Interesting to see that moving the camera was more effective than changing focus on a stationary camera. Looking forward to your next video using live subjects. I've been wondering how to do that. Thanks very much for sharing, Stewart.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Both techniques work well, I just turned the focus too much lol

[@michaelricks1618]

@@StewartWoodArt Many thanks for your reply, Stewart. Re: Your Photoshop's glitchy performance. A couple of thoughts occur to me - Do you still have an older version of Photoshop installed? Sometimes keeping an older version of a piece of software can cause the new one to not run well. Also, is your version of Photoshop matched to the version of your machine's operating system e.g. Windows10 or MacOS10 etc. All the best, Michael.

[@StewartWoodArt]

I'll be retrying the latest version next time I format my machine, we'll see what happens then. I'm not that fused as the latest version doesn't offer anything new for me.

[@kantibarua4619]

Hi , Thank you for another great vedio ...

[@malcolmrendle6622]

Love the "outakes" at the end of your videos always makes me laugh...great video wish I had watched it before I bought my slide rail though to be fair a review of the much more expensive manfrotto one also revealed a lack of precision...

[@StewartWoodArt]

A lot of rails are not very good.

[@j.j.vandenberg]

Well explained. Thank you.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you for watching :)

[@anthonyhazlewood5788]

Stewart, I knocked enter before I had finished... With less photos there would be a larger movement between each shot, and vice versa with lots of photos... Thanks again Stewart, keep up the good work...

[@StewartWoodArt]

Yep, take as many as you can ;)

[@anthonyhazlewood5788]

@@StewartWoodArt Thanks Stewart, love the channel...

[@erichpoole1396]

Hi Stewart, great teaching video - subject was a bit too plasticky and could have done with some wings or 8 eyes but i understand the reason why - start at the beginning. I have had a go at this with a little success using Photoshop. I however did not tick the content aware fill transparent area box when blending as i knew i would have large areas to crop off and so i didn't want to fill them. Looking forward to the next video on handheld stacking technique. And if you could do something about using live view to focus (as Jack says below) as i have not used this feature at all being as i know not how. regards Erich

[@StewartWoodArt]

Hi Erich, I don't use live view for focus stacking as it too clumsy for my liking.

[@rickmears7670]

Yay, fun stuff! I hate shallow depth of field when it isn't wanted, thanks for reminding us of other ways to tame it. You got me trying this out in older CS4 --it's there! (That wemacro.com site you mentioned here is interesting, also.) Waiting for your next video, great job.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thanks Rick, does this work in CS4?

[@rickmears7670]

@@StewartWoodArt Yes, I just tested it out with 3 stacked focus planes, worked great. In Photoshop CS4, the "Auto-Blend Layers" box has the "Seamless Tones and Colors" ticbox as seen in your video, but the "Content Aware Fill Transparent Areas" option is missing. It still worked perfectly. I used a tripod so I didn't have any transparent areas on the edges after aligning the layers, maybe that's what it would fill if the option were there. I'm a bit wary of automatic processes like this, but it works well and the layer masks generated can still be tweaked if needed. Now I'm curious about other programs that may also work as well for this.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Same here Rick, I normally wouldn't look at other software as I'm happy with Photoshop but with doing KZbin now people keep suggesting other software that I hadn't even thought about :)

[@lmrk5705]

Hey Stewart, another awesome & informative video. Thanks a bunch 👍 That sunburn looks really painful 😖I can’t afford any photo manipulation software at the moment. Would you consider going a focus stacking video for GIMP 2.10?. Cheers from Australia (the land of eternal sunburn 🥵)

[@StewartWoodArt]

I'll take a look at gimp for you.

[@lmrk5705]

Stewart Wood Thank you very much 👍👍👍

[@shasankgupta9460]

WOW !! I learned something new today :)

[@StewartWoodArt]

Awesome :)

[@outanout]

I've only ever tried focus stacking once but quiet liked the results although I did get some out of focus parts .. I used a progrm called Helicon focus waiting patiently to see how you do it with live sujects .... AWESOME content as always Stewart 📸👍

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thats Marc, I just hope my 650D can cope with it lol

[@PeteC62]

I always wondered what happened to Kevin Turvey. Great video!

[@bethanyblakecaiden]

I love that background btw😊

[@jessemartinez2606]

Another great video and a super nice tan on you arms😃 I interested in the hand held focus stacking when will the next vid come out?

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you, the next video will be next Wednesday.

[@mrwates]

Brilliant!

[@QippysChannel]

Great tutorial, really want to try this with my motion slider and see if that can help automate things a little :)

[@StewartWoodArt]

Give it a go, let me know how you get on :)

[@QippysChannel]

@@StewartWoodArt sure I'd definitely would love to give it a go :)

[@Teguvas]

You really should get an Olympus omd em1 mk 2/3/x, In body focus stacks and the 60mm macro lens

[@StewartWoodArt]

I'm not interested in changing camera brands at the moment, however I will check it out when I can.

[@Giantcappuccino]

Nice video! Curious if you can focus stack using Lightroom only? (I have unsupported Lightroom 6) Thanks!

[@fuertedudes9437]

Great video. What LED light are you using? I've just started experimenting with focus stacking. The free Canon EOS Utility allows users to adjust focus remotely from a PC in various increments and operate the camera shutter. Very handy.

[@StewartWoodArt]

They are just simple LED video lights from amazon.

[@welshman2081]

Hi Stewart Thanks for mentioning you are happy to try out other Stacking Programs, I purchased Helicon Focus, Useing my Focus rail (Novoflex Castel-L) Best on the market,very smooth operation, In live view using to alter the focus point up and down also sideways, I have found after going through the process the end result comes out in step images, This might be caused by me at the biggining and editing a photo in LR 5 pressing Sync, this might cause the step finished photo, Having some eye problems I did leave it, at not resolving the issue, Perhaps you can help on this Regards welshman 2081

[@StewartWoodArt]

I'm not too sure what you mean. can you show me the image?

[@paulus0109]

Thnx Steward

[@anthonyhazlewood5788]

Hi Stewart, I have just bought a motorised stacking rail (expensive, but very smooth and accurate)... Am I better off with lots of photos with a wide open aperture (a very small depth of field), or am I better off with a smaller aperture (a larger depth of field) and less photos... Is there any advantage with either way? Love your vids Stewart, very informative

[@StewartWoodArt]

First of all, you need to know what the sharpest f-stop is for your lens and camera combo, on mine, it f4 to f8. Setup up a scene and take a picture using every f-stop you can. From that, you can work out the sharpest f-stops, then use those f-stops in your stacking.

[@rochangraphics]

Well done,

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you.

[@Dwarvenchef]

Did you ever do a review of the other programs?

[@stevemarsh3413]

Really good video stewart, thanks. Very informative as I'm just getting into Macro and Focus Stacking. One thing that puzzles me though is how using a rail over the focus ring works better, because when you move the camera doesn't it alter the perspective and size of the image between the first shot and the last? Cheers.

[@rajithodlme]

Hi stewart, thanks for this demo... could u perform the same with GIMP

[@StewartWoodArt]

I have no idea, I've never used Gimp.

[@rajithodlme]

@@StewartWoodArt any other free software u have used/recommend for stacking?

[@StewartWoodArt]

Not at this point, but I will look into it more.

[@rajithodlme]

@@StewartWoodArt thanks. Because, as u mentiined in ur video, i donot wish to buy expensive software as i am not a professional photographer.

[@WayneIrish]

Great vid stewart . Thanks for the tips 👍🏼

[@StewartWoodArt]

Thank you for watching :)

[@OzMacro]

What are your thoughts on having some or all of the Millennium Falcon in focus as well? Love your work BTW.

[@StewartWoodArt]

You can do that, just gave to continue the focus past the falcon.

[@marutie13]

That sunburn is serious, haha THanks for the info tho

[@merrillsafferman7754]

Hi Stewart and thanks for making this video. My question is , which aperture works best with focus stacking? Thanks

[@NoahPeeters]

Depends on the amount of magnification because above 2× to 3× diffraction kicks in faster. But at 1 to 1 you should be fine with around f9.

[@StewartWoodArt]

All depends on your lens and the magnification you are at. playing around with and getting used to your lens is a must for you to know what you can or cannot do with it.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Yep! lol I also use focus stacking when I need a faster shutter speed.

[@enriquediaz8939]

Hi Stewart! Thank you again for another great video, I start doing stacking moving the focus ring but sometimes getting bad results with insects, some parts was blurry, it was a good practice doing that but to get the most accurate results its better a good focus rail. I am working with Helicon software and it is great. Regards!!

[@StewartWoodArt]

Hi Enrique, I've only used Helicon once or twice. I'm going to have to have another look at it, how do you find using it?

[@enriquediaz8939]

Hi Stewart!! It is easy to use, compared to photoshop it is much faster because it is a special software for stacking, does not consume many computer resources and is not very expensive compared to Zerene, I have been using it for two months and it seems good. Get the trial version again and use it with 70 or 80 images to stack and check the results. Regards!!

[@fredericktennant9151]

Years later yep, its time to do a new video trying out software and using that new platform with a rail on it and stack some stuff,

[@chrisbrennan6648]

Another great Video Stewart, Whats the model of focus rail thats naff so We all know to avoid it :)

[@StewartWoodArt]

No idea, I got it off Ebay for fun. Used it once and never again lol

[@chrisbrennan6648]

@@StewartWoodArt No problem will avoid at all costs lol

[@barrycopeland123]

Could i do Focus Stacking using Just one Programme , Lightroom or Photoshop or even Photoshop ELEMENTS 2020

[@StewartWoodArt]

Yes you can, zerene stacker it helicon focus will do the job.

[@barrycopeland123]

@@StewartWoodArt Thanks Stewart,

[@welshman2081]

Hi Stewart Sorry I canceled the images, You could see all the edges of the photos say 10 not stacked correctly on the right hand side, not just showing a single image, I can not explain it better than that. I will be trying again when I have had my Laser treatment. Regards welshman 2081

[@StewartWoodArt]

sounds like it moved slightly, I just crop that part out.

[@welshman2081]

@@StewartWoodArt Hi Stewart Could be right, it does not seem what I had done was correct, as said I will try again later, (What do you think about my Novoflex rail) it was worth paying the extra cost fore good quality, You have set me going on the desk top photography, so doing focus stacking will come into it a lot. I will look forward to your next video, on this subject of focus stacking, Your video was a great introduction to people that have never tryed it. Regards welshman 2081

[@mauistevebear]

I've tried in-camera focus bracketing but found it to be more trouble than it's worth, so I just move the focus ring. Do you think a focus rail is better than using the focus ring?

[@StewartWoodArt]

I prefer to move the camera rather than the focusing ring. I seen to have more success. Most the time I am handheld stcking but if I go over 5x magnification then I use a motorized rail.

[@mauistevebear]

@@StewartWoodArt Thanks for the reply. Now I want to look into such a device! Thanks Stewart

[@StewartWoodArt]

I have the we macro rail - www.wemacro.com

[@robfearonphotographyhillwa9583]

Hi Stewart I found this very interesting, what lenses would you recommend for this type, I have the following 16-35, 24-70, 70-200 all cannon L lenses. thanks

[@StewartWoodArt]

I've used the 24 - 70 with extension tubes with good results.

[@robfearonphotographyhillwa9583]

Stewart Wood thanks will deffo look into it thanks

[@mickleuk]

What is the light above your monitor, and why do you have it?

[@StewartWoodArt]

That is a BenQ screen bar, It lights up my desk without having glare on the monitors.

[@mickleuk]

Thanks. That sounds a good idea. I’ll look them up.

[@StewartWoodArt]

I did a review video of it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rn7UZWt-rdt6a5Y

[@wayneread1534]

hi stewart sorry for late viewing your video i would like to know if you come across any free softwear for photo stacking my friend

[@StewartWoodArt]

No, but I'm looking into it.

[@wayneread1534]

@@StewartWoodArt your a star my friend

[@brunomazzetti5541]

Man you're toasted!!! Did you ever tried helicon remote ? It's free app

[@StewartWoodArt]

No, I'll take a look. Thank you :)

[@tcurdt]

Hm. Moving the camera also changes the field of view. Isn't that counter productive in order to create a good stack?

[@StewartWoodArt]

No, it works fine.

[@tcurdt]

@@StewartWoodArt Because the change is too small? Or because the software compensates for it?

[@StewartWoodArt]

It's very small and the software does a great job aligning it.

[@tcurdt]

Well, the software would also have to "zoom" not just align. But I guess if the change is small it's good enough. Thanks!

[@superskier2]

Should have toned down the red colour in this video.....ouch looks painful. Great video BTW and just shows that you do not save on buying cheap kit, yes it looks good but is only fit for the bin.

[@StewartWoodArt]

That's right, and yes it is painful :(

[@fenraven]

Which version of PS are you using?

[@StewartWoodArt]

I'm using Photoshop CC 2018

[@fenraven]

@@StewartWoodArt I decided against it, sticking with CS6, the last version you could purchase and own. I hate the "pay forever" model so many companies are trying to force down our throats lately. If they ever release a true upgrade, I'll be all over it.

[@StewartWoodArt]

I'm starting to see that. The latest version runs very slow and buggy on my machine.

[@fenraven]

@@StewartWoodArt That's unfortunate. You did mention your computer is slow; that would explain it. But it shouldn't be buggy. Meh. CS6 does pretty much everything I require of it. I think it can even do photo stacking, if and when I get around to that.

[@StewartWoodArt]

No need to upgrade if it does all you need it to, same with camera gear ;)

[@AnPrionsaBeag]

Please add Helicon Focus to your list.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Will do.

[@bethanyblakecaiden]

😍😍

[@rounak301]

Get a d850 & let the camera do it

[@StewartWoodArt]

Lmao, I wish ;)

[@rounak301]

@@StewartWoodArt lol yup its worth paying & saving time if anyone is using it all time

[@StewartWoodArt]

It does look like a fantastic camera.

[@Clarney]

More sunscreen next time Stewart

[@StewartWoodArt]

Now you tell me lol

[@richardlewis9868]

when I grow up I wanna be Chewy

[@Julian-ei5to]

Me too

[@paulus0109]

T

[@Innerlightuk]

Bit disappointed hoping to see your handheld stacking technique.

[@StewartWoodArt]

Next video you will, needed to do a basic stacking video first.

[@Innerlightuk]

@@StewartWoodArt Excellent looking forward to it.

[@fredericktennant9151]

I'm not sure that Red is your colour lol

[@StewartWoodArt]

lmao, you need to come with me one day for some fun!

[@fredericktennant9151]

@@StewartWoodArt but you are a married man lol

[@StewartWoodArt]

I know, that's why I can only buy one every 7 years or so lmao

[@k.g.wuensch9998]

Unfortunately with 99.999% of subjects you'll end up with significant halos around foreground elements where the background can't physically be captured sharply. Thus there are very few subjects that allow for focus stacking to work - for the rest it's a complete waste, you're much much better off learning how to concentrate on one aspect of your subject and make that aspect the hero of the shot and grab the viewers attention. Attempts at focus stacking usually are a failure to determine what really is interesting about the subject.

[@StewartWoodArt]

I agree in part which is why I don't focus stack very often, but alot of people asked me to do a video about it, so I did ;)

[@joanarling]

Adobe software, again. There are alternatives, free as in beer as well as freedom. I feel quit frustated.

[@StewartWoodArt]

The Adobe software is my choice for creating content, that won't change for a while.