Just this one but it was a project! This picture is a study in perseverance. A few weeks ago I shot some focus brackets using the Helicon Tube. After I finished shooting, I realized...

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

This picture is a study in perseverance. A few weeks ago I shot some focus brackets using the Helicon Tube. After I finished shooting, I realized that I had been shooting raw. I went ahead and shot one more set using JPeg Fine because I stack with Zerene and Zerene doesn't work with raw files. The last set was OK but I didn't like the perspective as well as some of the raw shots and I didn't have time to shoot more.

I didn't get around to stacking until this morning. It's very hot and I'll admit to being a bit bored. I seldom do batch processing but I quickly figured out that I could use Capture NXD to convert all my raw bracket shots to tiff using batch processing. So easy and Zerene was happy! The stack came out well with only minimal touch-up required. I decided to use the touch up tools and some of the source files to selectively soften the background foliage. I ended up with a file that only needed a slight crop in regular post, no other adjustments. The final result of a morning's work is just this one!
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Hibiscus

(Download)

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

Cwilson341 wrote:

This picture is a study in perseverance. A few we... (show quote)

The results are beautiful Carol. The explanation of your workflow is both helpful and a little daunting. I have so much to learn, my processing skill set is...….unsophisticated.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

Very nice, Carol. And good exercise.

Seems like every time I get a hankerin' to do a stack of a plant/flower/whatever, it gets windy.

angela k Loc: Long Island

I've never stacked and to me, you were speaking another language... lol...
Carol, all your efforts paid off... simply beautiful image, lovely colors and even better on the DL!!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

rockdog wrote:

The results are beautiful Carol. The explanation of your workflow is both helpful and a little daunting. I have so much to learn, my processing skill set is...….unsophisticated.

Thank you, Phil. I really enjoy stacking - both shooting them and the processing. After the first time or two it really isn’t complicated, just a bit tedious but I enjoy detail work!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

What a fine result! You must feel a great sense of accomplishment, Carol. Since our FYC discussion topics on light, I'm interested to know what your conditions were for this. Seems like a perfect amount of soft indirect light, but I don't know how the focus stacking affects that aspect (if at all). Thanks!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Cany143 wrote:

Very nice, Carol. And good exercise.

Seems like every time I get a hankerin' to do a stack of a plant/flower/whatever, it gets windy.

Thank you, Cany! Movement is definitely a challenge. The tube speeds up the process in the field but other times I bring things inside and do the shooting tethered. Tethered also gives me the opportunity to play with the lighting.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

angela k wrote:

I've never stacked and to me, you were speaking another language... lol...
Carol, all your efforts paid off... simply beautiful image, lovely colors and even better on the DL!!

Thank you, Angela! I’m glad you like the shot. It’s not as complicated as it sounds and it can be a lot of fun. It is almost the opposite of what you do with Lensbaby. Instead of selectively limiting the area that is in focus, with stacking you are going for much more in focus. You can control how much is in focus or you can have the entire shot in sharp focus.

vonzip Loc: cape cod

That's a great photo. Colorful and sharp. vz

jederick Loc: Northern Utah

You achieved a magnificent result Carol...thanks for your efforts and sharing the final product with us!!

angela k Loc: Long Island

Cwilson341 wrote:

Thank you, Angela! I’m glad you like the shot. It’s not as complicated as it sounds and it can be a lot of fun. It is almost the opposite of what you do with Lensbaby. Instead of selectively limiting the area that is in focus, with stacking you are going for much more in focus. You can control how much is in focus or you can have the entire shot in sharp focus.

Wonderful results Carol, but still sounds too involved for me!!

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

Linda From Maine wrote:

What a fine result! You must feel a great sense of accomplishment, Carol. Since our FYC discussion topics on light, I'm interested to know what your conditions were for this. Seems like a perfect amount of soft indirect light, but I don't know how the focus stacking affects that aspect (if at all). Thanks!

Thank you, Linda. I don’t think focus stacking has any impact on the lighting. It only selects the sharp pixels from each frame. This was shot on a bright but totally overcast day so you were exactly right. When I shoot tethered I use the ambient room lighting and a couple of table top lights to simulate directional lighting.

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

vonzip wrote:

That's a great photo. Colorful and sharp. vz

Thank you, VZ. I was ready to move on from old buildings for a while. A pretty flower was just what I needed.

gregoryd45 Loc: Fakahatchee Strand

Cwilson341 wrote:

This picture is a study in perseverance. A few we... (show quote)

Very very nice Carol.well done

Cwilson341 Loc: Central Florida

jederick wrote:

You achieved a magnificent result Carol...thanks for your efforts and sharing the final product with us!!

Thank you, Jederick! I’m very thankful to have people willing to take a look - the pleasure is mine!