I often want to make a lot of posters and projects. I put together the images into files and have them printed—some in gallery wraps and tiles. I do that because I want to sell them delivering better quality than I can personally make.

What is with your narrow line of thinking that prevents outsourcing a facet of the final project while taking credit for producing the item? After all the the photographer did make it—clear?? I put together 30 image tiles for billboards—I would not think of cut and paste. Just an option, but if it stirs the peanut gallery with an objection...deal with it.

Smart Ass. Your opinion. The OP is not clear about achieving the final result and the quality of presentation desired. With his level of knowledge, I highly suggest a pro lab do the work, unless the OP wants something looking like a 5th grader glued and pasted—just saying.

No. The original photo size is preserved. I shoot jewelry. With macro work 1/16 of an inch in focal length makes a big difference. I shoot 10 images focusing on the stone to the rear of the shank. The software masks out everything that is out of focus with each image on a layer. Then you combine the parts of the image in focus for a total image in perfect focus-front to rear.

Yup! And as the photographer is eliminated and the truck driver eliminated with computerized rigs, and God knows what other jobs are erased through automation, we all can sit around, lament, and whack off together. Wonderful

I muse over the constant discussions about the sharpest lenses and cameras...pure mental masturbation.

In most cases the best photos and video use settings backing off sharpness and detail. Do you really want to capture every zit, hair follicle and black head in your subject’s face.

Excellent contrast created by good lighting is far more important than the so called sharpest lense to produce a print that pops. Most of the detail discussed cannot be printed anyway with printing press at 300 dpi. In other words a good photographer is far more important than the camera and lens.

Send your photo off to any lab. They will make tiles out of your image...4,6,8.

I highly disagree with that shallow view. Many people offer valuable critique. That is how we learn and improve.

Why would anybody change the aperture with images taken for stacking—absolutely not. You want everything to be as even as possible before aligning the different focal length images. The result should be perfect focus front to rear or use a tilt and shift lens.

It is a shame what has happened to the photography industry. Kodak develops the digital camera which eventually drove them into bankruptcy.

I often lament the days when all of us pros would meet at the lab for coffee and friendship while reviewing our previous week’s work on the loop tables. I learned so much from those guys. Now a whole industry of film, labs and print out of business.

And now with every photographer clamoring for a camera with exceptional low light performance without noise? That will be the nail in the photographers coffin. As the cell phone converges with the high end DSLR, that’s it...the photographer is gone...not needed. Everyone is now a photographer for nearly free.

On the positive side with retail stores closing their doors, there will be a high demand for product and fashion photography. That is how I make money. Forget about the one time shot request and concentrate on companies that use photography to sell products and services for a steady flow of repeat business. Learning video and using drones are great ways to boost the income too.

Exactly! I purchased the top of the line Gitzo 6 years ago and a HD Majestic precision 20 years ago and will never need another in my lifetime. My Bogens and Manfrotto are light stands and tether tables.

I started shooting moving video with a 6s IPhone and DJI Osmos Gimbal-does a great job outdoors-not good indoors. Tried just about every cheap way to avoid the $1500 DJI Ronin. Glidecam came close with practice, but finally broke down and bought the Ronin. Hell I can fall down now and the video will still be smooth and fluid. And with tap focus on my 1DX and MKIV—4K Video is a sure thing throughout. Being able to shoot at 2.8 makes outstanding event and wedding video.

PPR is high end professional. They have ex-pro photographers on staff—huge difference in service and knowledge. Wolf was more low end point and shoot business.

When one considers the cost of pay to play with Adobe Suite, Software, and other digital products, a good tripod is a bargain. But it you don't make any money with your equipment or hobby, the cell phone is a good option. They are taking better and better pictures every day.

I usually consult with pros before buying any equipment, rent it first, and then buy. The Gitzo and the Really Right Stuff tripods were touted as the best on the market, built to last a lifetime. I purchased the Gitzo CF with 100mm ball and several heads from precision rotators to ball heads. Very sturdy to a point for DSLR cameras. However a CF tripod is what it is, light weight and very easy to bump out of place if one is not careful.

Occasionally you can come across a great deal. About 20 years ago I purchased this Heavy Duty Majestic rig used-manufactured in Chicago for $750 at PPR here in Atlanta. It had everything imaginable for heavy camera work, overhead product work, arms vertical and horizontal to which I can mount multiple cameras, tether table, and beauty dish all in one heavy, extremely sturdy, 6 leg unit. It will even support a 12 foot jib crane. 20 years later it is as good as new and in use daily. Buy the best and you will not be using them for light and reflector stands tomorrow.

As for my old Bogens etc., I use them to hold my video glide bar and lights.

As you can see, I repurposed my old Cintique as a model viewing station, so that I can communicate with the client as I am shooting head shots etc. without having the client move to see results in real time.