ahudina Loc: Browns Point, WA

I need some help with focus stacking in Photoshop. I am a very new user of both PS and LR (classic versions via monthly subscription), and relatively new to digital photography, but not photography (Nikon F2's and Kodachrome 64) from many years ago, even sold some prints back then. I hesitate to ask this question as I know the breadth of knowledge on this site and am somewhat worried about getting buried in highly technical responses, but if that is what it takes, so be it.

I stack focused 7 images in camera (Nikon D 850). I then downloaded into LR and adjusted/developed all 7 using a preset I defined in Lightroom, I then exported all 7 images to PS as layers. In the lower left hand corner of PS it shows "7 Layers" for the photo. I want to "Auto Align, and "Auto Blend" but these actions are grayed out under the "Edit" tab in PS. Here is where I am stuck. I doubt PS aligned and blended them when exported from Lightroom, since the definition is not quite up to what I expected, but I am not able to "ungray" the actions I want to apply.

Just as a double check I used a different image, same process as above but 15 layers and the same as before, in the bottom left hand corner of PS it says "15 layers" but the actions I want are still grayed out, aaaarrrrgghghgh.

My PC has a current i7 chip, 1 TB SSD, 32 MB Ram, and a Nvidia 1060 6 GB graphics card, so I doubt I am lacking the necessary computing power. Hopefully, the solution is very simple to match my limited knowledge of the programs. Thanks in advance for reading this far and for any guidance that can be provided.

Linary Loc: UK

This is a link to the instructions on Photostacking

https://photoshopcafe.com/focus-stacking-photoshop-tutorial/

Linary Loc: UK

+

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

You have to go into the layers sub menu and select all 7 frames, then go to align and blend.
The layers sub menu should be to the right of the work area, in the middle of three menu columns and will look like a drawing of 2 frames overlapping each other with the word layers next to it Click it and then select by clicking the top one, scroll to the bottom one and while holding shift down click on the bottom one, all of them should be selected.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

Bingo!

dhroberts Loc: Boston, MA, USA

The previous post is correct; you must select the layers you wish to stack. However, I have found that HeliconFocus is a much superior application for focus stacking (and you can get a 30 day free version to try it out.)

ahudina Loc: Browns Point, WA

Thanks to all who have responded with very helpful insight. It was exactly what I was hoping for and it is very much appreciated, thank you.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

superior in which way? I have Zerene Stacker, and while I like it, I went doing it in PS only ( haven't used Zerene for years), because its so much better!

Maik723

Thanks. I struggled with also.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

For the few stacking photos I've done, I find that opening the sequence of photos in ACR, apply the initial adjustments to one of them, then synchronize those settings, then using the File pulldown in PS to open the stack, apply alignment, etc. adjustment and let PS do the work. Bypass LR completely.
--Bob

Canisdirus

Follow the directions given by previous posters.
I can save you a bit of time however.
Don't adjust the 6 or 7 images before you stack.
Stack first (align,blend), and then do a single set of adjustments.....

rcarol

You need to select all 7 images in the layers panel but you cam use the align layers feature.

Charlie C Loc: North Liberty, IA

Many thanks Linary for the tutorial link. Answered a few questions and learned more tips.

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

Did you Select all 7 layers before Aligning and Blending. I've found when using my older Ps CS6 (no Lr), sometimes all the layers are shown as selected or times not. I just select them with Shift + Click on last layer. Top layer should have already been selected, if not click on first layer first.