STACKING in MACRO.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

i was going through my raynox thread where ken mentioned that a thread on stacking will be useful.

first some examples.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3403/3221786745_d143af1ae1.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/3022316530_d13886d0dc.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3454/3221784135_23e5a8933a.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2577/3787574211_918b24f637.jpg

when I use raynox,there is immense bokeh.the sweet spot is small.particularly we face this situation when taking macros.at times even at F11 or so,we dont get the whole insect or the whole flower.that is where stacking comes into play.

stacking is basically piling up photos of a common subject with different focus points and then combining them seamlessly to have a subject with multiple focus points.

there is a software called helicon focus pro,but i personally find CS4 fast and quick enough to do stacking.

so what do you require for stacking??

a tripod,your cam(DUH!!) and zero wind.

a breeze may be ok.if the subject is returning to its initial position then its fine.but if the subject is constantly moving then it may pose a prob during processing.

clicking is pretty easy.first start of the center.and then cover the various spots that you like.for example in the last photo,i wanted the spider but simultaneously the wing and body details of the fly.so that was a basic 3 shot stacked photo.how many focus points you want depends on you and the aperture u set.i keep my on F8 since its a recommended one.

once u take photos,just load in CS4 and blend them to get a stacked photo and further process it according to your liking.

ill be waiting for your examples of stacked stuff.

anvancy

[KrishnenduKes]

Stacking Technique Approved

Thanks Anvancy

[Bibudesh]

I remember a post by you which explained in and outs about this technique as in dividing quadrants etc. I was about to ask you to share the same again if possible. But anyways I'm looking forward to give it a try.

[rio008]

anvancy i would love to know how to do stacking using CS4, specialy how to blend each photos together.
will be happy if you can provide a sample screen shot of CS4 :)

[Aryan]

Thanks for sharing the technique Anvancy. As Rio asked, even I would love to know how to stack images using CS4.

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

@bibudesh:

what i talked was about 9 quadrants..since when you put on grid,our shot is divided into 9 quadrants.so for normal stacking you can do one focus point from each quadrant.so for example 9 focus points of which first will be of center.

@aryan and rio:

currently i m on my lappy..it doesnt have CS4.

but ill guide you.

1. take photos with different focus points.(duh!)

2.next in photoshop CS4 i think under automate > LOAd files into stack.

3. select the files that you want to stack.

4. you should see the images for example if you have 4 images then you should see 4 layers.

5. selecting ALL LAYERS, in EDIT go to AUTO BLEND LAYERS.

6.it will ask two options.
a) create panorama
b) create seamless composition.

7.select create seamless composition
do note that whenever it asks for align source images DO tickmark it.

8.your stacked photo will be ready.

9. save your photo.and further process it in LR or PS.remember to crop out the chipping part.


also note that stacking can be used for everything.not only macro but still life or anything you want.fastest way to bring subjects in focus.

anvancy

[nelson_sanjoy]

My first try using stacking of 6 shots using cs4...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4196993520_bab7721cd9.jpg

Your comments will be welcome...

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

My first try using stacking of 6 shots using cs4...

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4038/4196993520_bab7721cd9.jpg

Your comments will be welcome...

interesting use of the subject nelson..good shot..you can magic wand select the candies inside drops to further sharpen them.


Anvancy

[nelson_sanjoy]

interesting use of the subject nelson..good shot..you can magic wand select the candies inside drops to further sharpen them.


Anvancy

Thanks Anvay for your comments - does this look any better...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2588/4197048529_abe3268ebf.jpg

I lassoed it and used USM...

[Bibudesh]

This process seems easy but needs hell lot of practice and test of patience. Following is a shot of fern stem (around 2 cms long).
A cam equipped with live view and lotz of AF points can have more advantage.

@Anvancy- Does your fuji has a feature of defining arbitrary AF points??

One of the 17 shots

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii35/bibudesh/DSC_0083_res.jpg

And the final outcome.. Experts kindly comment. M trying to work on more

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii35/bibudesh/New-Out999_997_res.jpg

[Bibudesh]

One more

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii35/bibudesh/New-Out995_994_01_res.jpg

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

This process seems easy but needs hell lot of practice and test of patience. Following is a shot of fern stem (around 2 cms long).
A cam equipped with live view and lotz of AF points can have more advantage.

@Anvancy- Does your fuji has a feature of defining arbitrary AF points??

One of the 17 shots

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii35/bibudesh/DSC_0083_res.jpg

And the final outcome.. Experts kindly comment. M trying to work on more

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii35/bibudesh/New-Out999_997_res.jpg

@rohit : under select AF i can move my point in a total of 28 points across the whole frame.ie all grids included and all intricate points included.

the first outcome from u is sort of bland.the cactus is working out more.

if you can,try this technique on your scale model.keep the aperture at 5.6 or in range of that and take images.or you can keep F8 also.i find that the software then finds it easier to stack since it can easily read and distinguish blur from the focus.

Anvancy

[Bibudesh]

@rohit : under select AF i can move my point in a total of 28 points across the whole frame.ie all grids included and all intricate points included.

the first outcome from u is sort of bland.the cactus is working out more.

if you can,try this technique on your scale model.keep the aperture at 5.6 or in range of that and take images.or you can keep F8 also.i find that the software then finds it easier to stack since it can easily read and distinguish blur from the focus.

Anvancy

Yes. Intially I tried with awful apertures such as f/3.2 or something and the software gave a spoiled result. It was full of halos. I think key is also to have optimum number of images to be stacked.

Maximum area AF,Live view and a very very sturdy tripod is a boon to take these shots. With my camera and the crappy tripod it is really painstaking :( ..

[anvancy-(macro analyst)]

Yes. Intially I tried with awful apertures such as f/3.2 or something and the software gave a spoiled result. It was full of halos. I think key is also to have optimum number of images to be stacked.

Maximum area AF,Live view and a very very sturdy tripod is a boon to take these shots. With my camera and the crappy tripod it is really painstaking :( ..


but rohit even AF,live view and very very sturdy tripod cant beat a slightest breeze!;)

the problem in macros comes due to this.we are close to the subject,not by distance but by the magnification.so even the slightest movement is also magnified in our shot..so that is painstaking..thats why i cant even try heavy stacking with my 202.

@nelson: thats was what i was talking about.good pp on it.

Anvancy