Enhancing depth of focus: When taking macrophotos, sometimes manipulation of f-stop does not produce sufficient depth of focus. What are some ways (preferably easy and inexpensive) to...

MalcolmZ

When taking macrophotos, sometimes manipulation of f-stop does not produce sufficient depth of focus. What are some ways (preferably easy and inexpensive) to improve this aspect of photography in close ups of model dioramas? I have heard of something called "stacking".

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

Taaaaaaaaaaaaaa Daaaaaaaaaaaaa. It's called Focus Stacking. See Tony Northrup's video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Dz34MMjQ0

Vienna74 Loc: Bountiful, Utah now Panama

Focus stacking is a great tool and supported by PS. You can even google it and find instructions.

Dickwood33 Loc: Alberta, Canada

Google "focus stacking". I just did and found more than enough to get you started.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

MalcolmZ wrote:

When taking macrophotos, sometimes manipulation of f-stop does not produce sufficient depth of focus. What are some ways (preferably easy and inexpensive) to improve this aspect of photography in close ups of model dioramas? I have heard of something called "stacking".

There are several tutorials on focus stacking in the UHH Macro section. You should also google Zerene, the maker of the best FS software. They have some great info.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

MalcolmZ wrote:

When taking macrophotos, sometimes manipulation of f-stop does not produce sufficient depth of focus. What are some ways (preferably easy and inexpensive) to improve this aspect of photography in close ups of model dioramas? I have heard of something called "stacking".

Welcome to the Hog, MalcolmZ.
Marion

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

MalcolmZ wrote:

When taking macrophotos, sometimes manipulation of f-stop does not produce sufficient depth of focus. What are some ways (preferably easy and inexpensive) to improve this aspect of photography in close ups of model dioramas? I have heard of something called "stacking".

“Stacking” will have no effect on depth of focus.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

RWR wrote:

“Stacking” will have no effect on depth of focus.

I take your point. I’m guessing the OP is referring to depth of field? 🙄

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

MalcolmZ wrote:

When taking macrophotos, sometimes manipulation of f-stop does not produce sufficient depth of focus. What are some ways (preferably easy and inexpensive) to improve this aspect of photography in close ups of model dioramas? I have heard of something called "stacking".

Please tell us what camera and lens(es) you are using. Thank you.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

TriX wrote:

I take your point. I’m guessing the OP is referring to depth of field? 🙄

Obviously he is, but I wonder if he (and others who may want to learn) knows the difference.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

Depth of Field, is the amount of the subject matter that is in acceptable focus. Depth of Focus is the range of focus in front of, and behind the Film / or Sensor receptive surface. The two terms are all too often, mixed up by people. But they are different things. Please raise your hand if you cannot grasp the difference.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

Pablo8 wrote:

Depth of Field, is the amount of the subject matter that is in acceptable focus. Depth of Focus is the range of focus in front of, and behind the Film / or Sensor receptive surface. The two terms are all too often, mixed up by people. But they are different things. Please raise your hand if you cannot grasp the difference.

Depth of focus can be confusing to many. It is explained pretty well here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_of_focus

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

rgrenaderphoto wrote:

Taaaaaaaaaaaaaa Daaaaaaaaaaaaa. It's called Focus Stacking. See Tony Northrup's video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Dz34MMjQ0

Yes, focus stacking is great. Here are (almost) too many links.

https://northrup.photo/my-account/download-sdp-ebook/stunning-digital-photography-video-index/landscape-focus-stacking/
https://digital-photography-school.com/post-processing-focus-stacked-images/
https://digital-photography-school.com/photograph-images-needed-focus-stacking/
http://www.earthboundlight.com/phototips/focus-stacking-software-photoshop-helicon-combinezp-zerene.html
http://www.lightstalking.com/focus-stacking-in-photoshop/
http://www.digitalcameraworld.com/2015/05/13/focus-stacking-how-to-extend-depth-of-field-in-photoshop/
http://zerenesystems.com/cms/stacker/docs/purchasing
http://www.heliconsoft.com/heliconsoft-products/helicon-focus/
http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/simple-steps-for-focus-stacking-in-photoshop/
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-improve-your-long-exposure-with-photo-stacking/

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

FWIW, terminology is often misused or inprecise on UHH. Sometimes context is a “tell”— so in the interest of communication, we can agree to accept intent rather than become pedantic. We would then spend an inordinate amount of time correcting, when we could be communicating. It’s a fine line.....

But I do appreciate what Jerry does: Consistently provide links to information and resources available for self-learning.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

LoneRangeFinder wrote:

FWIW, terminology is often misused or inprecise on UHH. Sometimes context is a “tell”— so in the interest of communication, we can agree to accept intent rather than become pedantic.

Knowing the difference between two similar sounding, but different, terms can be beneficial.