Macro Focus Stacking/Image Stacking Tutorial-How To Do Close-up Digital Photography

[@TonyAndChelsea]

⭐Some of our favorite tripods⭐ Dolica on Amazon: help.tc/dolica Manfrotto BeFree on Amazon: help.tc/befree

[@Tilbard]

"take your shot" direct, strong eye contact made me laugh, but really good vid, thank you!

[@MrSoarman]

Thank you for the TUTE, you are the first one EVER that slowed down so people can understand, will be looking forward to your book.

[@djchrisj]

His book is excellent! Beginner or pro it's worth every cent. I learnt so many tips that will save me hours of frustration in the field.

[@ImperialArmour]

I like how earnest and proper Tony is in these earlier youtube videos.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Oh, most lenses "sweet spot" are just moderate apertures, so I picked an f/stop that was moderate but on the high side to allow more depth-of-field. If I used a lower f/stop, I would have had to take and process many more pictures to get everything in focus. The camera will autoexpose at any f/stop.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Thanks!! Just use the links in the video description to get the book. The link on the third line allows international orders.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Unfortunately, Kindle doesn't currently allow you to embed videos; only iBooks does. However, if they change that rule (and I suspect they will now that they've added more storage to the new color Kindles) I'll definitely update the book. So, the Kindle ebook has to stream them from my server. It works great as long as you have an Internet connection.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

No. In fact, it looks like the MP-E 65mm has a max f/stop number of f/16, so depth of field will be REALLY shallow, making focus stacking that much more important.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Strange about the pricing! Which country are you in? They should be priced the same, but either way, you want the version that has 'iPad' written in the upper-right corner of the cover. The other version is optimized for iPhones and accesses the videos using an Internet connection. The iPad version stores the videos locally (and thus it takes a while to download).

[@edwardscruggs6555]

Hello and many thanks for such an informative tutorial. I am an American now permanatly residing here in Japan, where I teach at a women's university. I reallt appreciate the clear and concise style of pedagogy you use here. Bravo!

[@bash5995]

Tony you are a marketing genius! Videos like this is why I bought your book and subscribed to your channel, thank you for taking the time to make great professional videos.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

I just used ambient lighting for that shot... just what you see in the video. I probably had the overhead lights in the room on. I'm not a fan of the ring flash at all. Wish I could be more specific!

[@TonyAndChelsea]

I shot raw for everything, make adjustments to all the raw files, and then exported them as JPG before the stacking process just to make it go faster.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

It was Photoshop CS5 (the current version is CS6, and will work, too.) CombineZ or HeliconSoft are free apps that will do focus stacking--I list those and other macro techniques in Chapter 12 of the book (link in the description). The free apps will get the job done, perhaps even easier than PS will. I just used PS because that's what I know. PS is expensive, but every photographer has to learn it at some point... I'm not sure if Elements can do stacking.

[@edwinmiller4609]

Convinced me to buy the book, love working in Photoshop and had no idea about stacking, so Kudos, I learned something new today!

[@TonyAndChelsea]

For living subjects, you can't be quite as precise, of course. Just set the shutter to continuous shooting, manually focus on the nearest part of the subject, hold down your shutter, and slowly lean your body forward until you have shots with the entire subject in focus. Do this a couple of times, and one set of your pictures should be good enough. Remember to leave room to crop! Check Chapter 8 of my book (link in the description) for more about shooting insects, and Ch 12 for macro.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Hi, Spike. There are several free apps out there for image stacking. I describe them in Chapter 12 of Stunning Digital Photography (links in the description) as well as other macro photography techniques.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

For the record, all the images were rock-solid. Careful shutter technique can avoid camera shake on a tripod. This video isn't meant to describe every aspect of photography; it just supplements a specific section in Chapter 12 of my book (Stunning Digital Photography, link in the description). I also provide detailed information about stopping camera shake in Chapter 5.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

You're right that the image size will change, but the image stacking software will adjust for that. Be sure to plan to crop quite a bit from the edges, as I mention in the video.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Glad you're enjoying the videos! The answer to your question is "no." :)

[@Chadward_]

i really like the close up of you carefully spraying water on that flower.

[@anthonyhazlewood5788]

Hi Tony, many thanks for the video - it thoroughly explains the "how to do it"... It's the only video that I have looked at so far to do so.... I will have a go at it later today... Again, many thanks

[@TonyAndChelsea]

I don't know about elements,but check Chapter 12 in my book (links in the description) because I list a couple of other apps you can use for image stacking, including a free app. I've discussed other apps elsewhere in the comments, too.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

CS5 and CS6 definitely do. If you check Chapter 12 of my book Stunning Digital Photography (link in the description of this video), I suggest some free alternatives, too.

[@robertdyet]

Many Thanks Tony for breaking it down into easy to follow stages.

[@ayouthwellspent]

That's some serious moire effect on your shirt there!

[@swistedfilms]

If a pattern emerge On the video of a shirt That's a moire!

[@choppaa4204]

I keep coming back to this video and wanted to comment on how effective this video was in helping me make a stack even, though I constantly forget how 😆

[@salbac11]

Ok, let's try again.. Lol.. I watched a couple of your videos about a week ago, and I just bought your book... I'm loving it. Double recommend it. :) thank you Tony

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Oh, haha, just noticed from an earlier comment that I wrote that HeliconSoft costs a few bucks. I know there's a free version available, but I'm not sure what the limitations are off the top of my head.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

@AdamTheCtor Chapter 12 of the book ($3, URL in the description) describes other apps besides Photoshop: CombineZ (free) and Helicon Soft ($30-$55). But, every photographer needs Photoshop at some point. You can get a free trial, and the student & teacher edition isn't that much to buy.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

If you study layers and masking for Photoshop, you should be good to go. It's a little complex, but once you get the hang of it, it will change your photography forever.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Yes, all those topics and more. Check the links in the description for a sample of the book, reviews, and a more complete list of topics.

[@jakes4505]

This is awesome. Tony you can tell you're a touch more comfortable in newer videos. I thought to look how old the video was. When I saw it's was 7 years ago. I laughed my ass off. You've barely aged in 7 years. Good for you and Chelsea, haha Great videos. Thanks

[@mariamccormick7879]

Love your pace of delivery and your clarity ... thank you. !!

[@AndrejGobec]

I was always wondering how these in-focus macro photos are done ... now i know, thanks!! I need to try it out!

[@Daelmyth]

I invested in extension tubes when I got my first DSLR. I was troubled with the shallow depth of field. Thank you for this quick and easy video. I've seen some other videos of yours, but am now subbed after this one. Thanks again. I'm looking forward to getting more into macro now! :)

[@Daelmyth]

And when I say "got my first DSLR", I mean my T3i I purchased about 1.5 months ago. I'm very much a beginner.

[@barbatron100]

Clear as ever 👍. You're still my source for clear - to the point - and non biased information 😊

[@SandyDeJong]

Well thank you not only for the tutorial but for clean clear explanation and with out rushing it at all.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

It was probably just a problem with KZbin. I bet it will work now if you try again. Of course, all these videos and more are available in my book (link in the description) and without ads or plugs. Plus, you get a whole book :).

Excellent PShop information as well as this macro tip! Great help.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Different cameras. The one in this video is the original Canon 5D. I mostly use the 5D Mark III now.

[@69tubeB]

Thanks for sharing such extremely useful information. I was always wondered how come the entire image comes to pinpoint sharp in case of macro photography. Your video explains that.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Not that I'm aware of, but I do suggest several stacking apps in Chapter 12 of Stunning Digital Photography

[@RobertKingofMaine]

another good one tony. simple, clear, complete

[@ManiShrestha4430]

Great video by great Photographer. I always frustrated with my macro images of flowers and tiny plants. Its great that I learned at right time from this video. Its great for beginner to professional.

[@miss5050]

Great stuff! I have many many macro shots, but spraying water? Brilliant idea!!!! Got your book for iPad yesterday - so far so good :)

[@ratcals]

Thanks for the tutorial. I suspected this was how it was done, but it was nice to see it explained.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

I can't paste the link into comments, but if you use the third link in the video description you can buy the ebook with a credit card from anywhere in the world for the equivalent of $8.99 US. That same link also gives you a discounted price on the paperback, which we ship anywhere. Thanks, and be sure to join the private Stunning Digital Photography Readers group on Facebook after you buy it!

[@Sinegav]

Great tutorial Tony! I forgot how to do this with the brush/mask tool, but this was actually quicker and easier.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

No worries, just join the "Stunning Digital Photography Readers" group on Facebook, which you can join since you bought the book. Once you're in, you'll be able to download different versions of the file to read anywhere.

[@georgebryan1273]

Hi, used your video and completed my first macro stack. Thanks for the video. George

[@ronaldt3422]

Holy cow! Young Tony!! This is gold

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Hi, Ahmed. Check Chapters 4 and 5 of Stunning Digital Photography (links in the description).

[@susanhershey2142]

Excellent, easy to follow video that really taught me exactly how to do this!

[@TonyAndChelsea]

I always recommend starting inexpensive and then upgrading when you outgrow it. Check out the Canon T3 kit, $459 new at Amazon, or $349 refurbished at eBay. Get the refurbished model and save your money for a flash, tripod, and lenses. Let me know if you have other questions.

[@CBRd00d]

Great video Tony! No nonsense, and clearly explained. I'm going to try this out. Thanks!

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Thanks!!

[@proplus007flex]

Nice video you have your book in spanish? i repeat this steps and i had wasome results thanks

[@TheDarkKnight03]

what kind of photography tips i can learn from your book ? do you have long exposure in daylight and night? landscape photography?

[@SoniaUrquiza]

Hi Tony love your videos there great I have a question I'm a beginner. And I'm researching for a new camera what camera do you recommend thanks

[@TonyAndChelsea]

There's no f/stop number big enough at close macro ranges. Check Chapter 12 of my book Stunning Digital Photography (link in the description) for more information.

[@houleh100]

Thanks. Clear and very simple to try. Now I want take goods shots for do a great shot like you.

[@happybytheocean]

Thank you so much for doing this! I saw an ad for stacking software, didn't realize it was built into PS? I have a new Hibiscus bloom in my yard. Excited to try. I do get frustrated with my tripod bc it's hard to get it set up in the perfect situation. I'm also frustrated with my new Macro lens, it's just not getting clear close up pictures as I thought it would? Ik it's bc of the focusing distance. I even bought extensions, but I haven't tried them with my Macro lens yet. not sure if it makes sense. thanks !!!!

[@barbnelson57]

Great Tut! any suggestion for a photo app other than photoshop? I find it rather cost prohibitive for a beginner photographer like me. I did one with a trial photoshop and followed your instructions and it worked great. thank you

[@andyvan5692]

hi, great video; by the way does Adobe Photoshop light room have the layer tools you are using? Also I have an old 105mm Ai f2 . 8 macro lens; works beautifully, but as you change the focus ring you also change the mag. ratio (scale on the lens). is there a way to focus stack with this lens [and also with the extension tubes used with this -p n 11,12,13, etc. ]?

[@dmc1281]

Thank You for your videos, I have found them extremely useful as I start to learn. I used this process today and the result was amazing.

[@erinpaytonphotography]

AWESOME! THANK YOU SO MUCH! I Bought your book a few weeks ago and finally have the time to read!

[@TonyAndChelsea]

A Canon 5D Mark II or 5D Mark III. However, any camera would work equally well for this.

[@BergflitzerFoto]

Gut und sachlich gut erklärt! Bergflitzer sagt Danke...

[@TheWolfMoonSpell]

Cheers Tony :) I had a question! Now when i tried to do this, the images that i took kept changing size when i changed focus, meaning that the flower was bicoming bigger then smaller, how will they stack up if they cant be alligned? I used a Nikon macro 105mm.

[@sebastianleonardi]

TheWolfMoonSpell same problem here. Did you solve it? How? Thanks.

[@davidhunter2824]

Thanks for the tutorial. I always wondered how to do image stacking.

[@tanyajones3861]

Tony - great video. Very clear instructions and great tips. What Photoshop version are you using? I have Photoshop Elements 12 at the moment which does not match your video instructions. Thanks Tanya

[@orcgoddessspike]

I am interested in this technique, but do not yet have the means to afford Photoshop. I hear there is a free program out there and would love to hear what you or others might have to say about the free program's memory useage, shortcomings etc. I have tried taking sets of images though, and found that I can shoot tethered using the onscreen remote control and adjust the focus manually in precise increments that way to avoid shaking the camera. I assume the higher end cameras can do likewise.

[@gamalfahmy6382]

Very nice and fine videos, I have watched and learned a lot, especially the macrophotography. Thank you.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Check Chapter 12 of Stunning Digital Photography (links in the description) where I describe the entire process, including free software. The videos are just intended to supplement the text.

[@ogim100]

I have a question, you say your videos are embedded into the Ipad version to watch off line. Will that be the same for the Kindle version. Planning to get the Kindle HD and really want your book but would prefer to watch the videos offline.

[@gregmorrow]

Tony, why do you set F/13, but not the lens' sweet spot? why do you mention that F/13 allows you to auto expose the subject? what about other apertures, say F/8, F/4.5?

[@georgebryan1273]

Hi Tony, great video. I followed your advice and came up with some great shots. Question I changed my setting on camera from Aperture priority to manual, removed auto iOS and the pictures are now washed out in over exposure after stacking ? Any thoughts? Thanks George

[@oneyedthing]

Thanks, Tony. Great tutorials as always

[@smokey267]

I'm glad I bought your book :) Thank you very much Tony

[@TonyAndChelsea]

No, I have a more complete list of recommendations in Chapter 12 of the book (Stunning Digital Photography, link in the description), and some of them are free. .

[@UpsetFiend]

Love these helpful videos. Cannot wait to get your book!

[@NadiaKerr]

Great tutorial. Very well explained and shown how to achieve the technique. Thank you so much for sharing. :-)

[@michaelcoll433]

Thanks! Great explanation of how to get the job done. Out of curiosity, why not use the timer to avoid and shake from your hands? Also, what video editing software did you use? You look so much younger! 😁

[@user-jc6jx9il9c]

Perfect, quick and easy tutorial. THX...

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Yes, I often mispronounce that word. I'm working on it.

[@MrJfcbio]

Hi, Why don't you use a remote control to avoid vibration? Thanks!

[@yetticuda]

first video of your I've watched great work there. Now I'm very new to all this. so my question is what's the software I need to run to do this? Windows 7 and a 7 year old can operate it better than me on most days. to aid in this macro is 99% of what i will use it for. inside lightbox environment.

[@davidbreazeale820]

Hi Tony: At roughly 5:25 into your video you make a comment about adjustments to a layer where a particular segment might not be in focus. I know this is usually a common occurrence. Could you point me in the right direction that addresses this technique. Thanks Dave

[@simonhjelm7102]

I saw a guy here in Sweden doing the same type of photography and the pictures where just insane! How do you do this with insects? I mean they wont stay in the exact same spot for 15 minutes?

[@cthomas888]

Another fantastic video Tony. Question, I assume you'd shoot these in RAW format. Would you process all the images in Camera RAW before this process or in Photoshop using adjustment masks? Thanks again...

[@oneyedthing]

Hey Tony. Can you do that with a single photo using MP-65 Macro lens?

[@sebastianleonardi]

Hi Tony, in the video @3:00 you see how the focal length changes due to the focus breathing. I did some shots and when I went to PS and aligned all the photos, I lost bigg part of the flower. I’m using a Canon 100mm f/2.8 L macro lens. How can I prevent this? Thank you.

[@Johnnysaintrizz]

i need to do this but i dont have photoshop and the way my finances are now, i wont for a while. lol however, i will be better prepared when i do. i would love to stack for the evening star shot as well.

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Thanks!! :)

[@robellisdonphotography7289]

Hint for viewers, it also pays to use a remote to counter act camera shake

[@saadams4937]

Using the in-camera timer works well too.

[@outlaw2747]

Especially if it is only 2 seconds long. I use the timer religiously for night shots and I'll be using it for macro as well.

[@johnsummerfield8600]

Depends on the exposure duration and shutter design.

[@alasdairmackenzie905]

Absolutely. He kept his hand on the camera all through the exposure time and that must have induced some shake, even a very little of which could ruin the shot. Why, when all it needs is a £15 remote release, or even just using the camera's own 2 second timer?

[@siyastlkbrli9418]

Thanks for usable information, ❤❤❤

[@johnkramer745]

Hey Tony, Loved your video on the moon photography (that is where i am coming from). This video is equally interesting and helpful. i have my 75-300mm kit lens (APS-C - D3400) so effectively almost 420mm and moon pics turned out to be decent for a 1st timer. However, for macro i am not sure of investing in a macro lens (maybe extension tubes initially).. but i do have a Canon powershot ELPH 110HS.. the macro on it is decent for a digicam. how about image stacking from the pics captured from that? Your thoughts would be helpful.

[@williamalmodovar9629]

Hi Tony, I'm currently using Photoshop elements 10 which does not have the stacking/image feature. Which version of Photoshop does? Appreciate the insight.