Combining Focus Stacking and Exposure Bracketing
Sep 20, 2019 10:57:58 #
I shoot mainly landscape with a Nikon 850 and know how to focus stack and exposure bracket but was wondering if there's a way to do them with the same series of photos or even combine 2 separate series in PS or Lightroom? I understand I can do the focus stack series and then take another shot exposing for the sky and then blend them in PS after I'm done with the stacking, but this can be very tedious especially with trees or other things breaking the horizon.
I have googled and found tons of stuff and the subjects separately but nothing about combining them.
I though maybe someone had figured out a work around.
I have googled and found tons of stuff and the subjects separately but nothing about combining them.
I though maybe someone had figured out a work around.
Sep 20, 2019 11:09:55 #
The current version via subscription of LR Classic does this. You'll need to experiment to see how it works for you.
Sep 20, 2019 11:20:25 #
via the lens wrote:
The current version via subscription of LR Classic does this. You'll need to experiment to see how it works for you.
I am up to date with both but don't see an option to do both. Would I just take the layers and do the usual for focus stacking and then just run the bracketing steps, skipping align?
Sep 20, 2019 12:00:16 #
I have done focus stacking first. Once this is done I have opened in Photoshop Camera Raw, Created 3 exposure setting one as shot, one -1 and one +1 then combined the 3 using Aurora HDR and saved this image just as it was when Aurora opened it. Some times I adjust the sliders for the setting in the -1 and + 1 to add shadow or improve sky for the under exposed and over exposed.
The final results does not look HDR it is just a more evenly distributed light.
The final results does not look HDR it is just a more evenly distributed light.
Sep 20, 2019 12:57:32 #
Jim-Pops wrote:
I have done focus stacking first. Once this is done I have opened in Photoshop Camera Raw, Created 3 exposure setting one as shot, one -1 and one +1 then combined the 3 using Aurora HDR and saved this image just as it was when Aurora opened it. Some times I adjust the sliders for the setting in the -1 and + 1 to add shadow or improve sky for the under exposed and over exposed.
The final results does not look HDR it is just a more evenly distributed light.
The final results does not look HDR it is just a more evenly distributed light.
Excellent, sometimes we overlook the obvious - thanks a lot!
Sep 20, 2019 15:18:18 #
via the lens wrote:
The current version via subscription of LR Classic does this. You'll need to experiment to see how it works for you.
No it doesn't. LR does not do focus stacking. You need Photoshop for that.
Sep 20, 2019 15:25:17 #
skornfeld wrote:
I shoot mainly landscape with a Nikon 850 and know... (show quote)
It's not that hard to do. Figure out what your focus bracket is going to look like, and take an HDR set for each focus point. Merge each HDR set in Lightroom. When they are all done, adjust one of the resulting dng - essentially the same as a raw file - until you are satisfied with the result - then sync the adjustments to the other dng files. With all the dng files looking pretty similar if not identical, then export the images to Photoshop for pano stitching. You can try it the other way, processing the focus stack first then doing the HDR merge, but I think you'll find the adjustment options on HDR better when you are working with dng files than with tiff or psd.
Sep 20, 2019 15:28:11 #
Gene51 wrote:
It's not that hard to do. Figure out what your foc... (show quote)
So this method I'd do the focus stack manually in camera but set the bracketing for each focus point and then blend in photoshop
Sep 20, 2019 22:39:13 #
skornfeld wrote:
So this method I'd do the focus stack manually in camera but set the bracketing for each focus point and then blend in photoshop
Yes. Focus-HDR then advance the focus-HDR and repeat for each focus point. Merge each focus point to HDR, sync your adjustments for each HDR set, then export the resulting dng files to Photoshop for pano stitching.
Sep 21, 2019 06:44:31 #
Gene51 wrote:
Yes. Focus-HDR then advance the focus-HDR and repeat for each focus point. Merge each focus point to HDR, sync your adjustments for each HDR set, then export the resulting dng files to Photoshop for pano stitching.
Thabjs
Sep 21, 2019 11:28:20 #
It would seem quite easy to do. However, there are going to be drawbacks. However, there are workarounds that might negate the obvious issues.
--Bob
--Bob
skornfeld wrote:
I shoot mainly landscape with a Nikon 850 and know... (show quote)
Sep 21, 2019 11:55:16 #
skornfeld wrote:
I shoot mainly landscape with a Nikon 850 and know... (show quote)
Do you mean bracketing for HDR and then combining to stack? Of course, many folks do it, but it is like you said, a rather tedious process!
Sep 21, 2019 13:04:01 #
Sep 21, 2019 14:04:19 #
Sep 21, 2019 15:38:55 #
Gene51 wrote:
Yes. Focus-HDR then advance the focus-HDR and repeat for each focus point. Merge each focus point to HDR, sync your adjustments for each HDR set, then export the resulting dng files to Photoshop for pano stitching.
Just spit balling. When it comes to merging would stacking each exposure group (+/0/-) first then HDR the result work as well, better, worse? Or would it be 6 of one, a ½ dozen of the other?
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