Focus stacking: Since recently acquiring a D 850 which enables me to delve into focus stacking easier. I have managed to take a series of photos, but now I feel I'm software impaired.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

Since recently acquiring a D 850 which enables me to delve into focus stacking easier. I have managed to take a series of photos, but now I feel I'm software impaired. Before I waste on more time I thought I'd ask for advice. I'm trying to use Photoshop 2018 to finish merging my images. I'm not seeing the menu items that the info I've seen appearing. Am I betting a dead horse or upgrade and move on?

lamiaceae Loc: San Luis Obispo County, CA

starlifter wrote:

Since recently acquiring a D 850 which enables me to delve into focus stacking easier. I have managed to take a series of photos, but now I feel I'm software impaired. Before I waste on more time I thought I'd ask for advice. I'm trying to use Photoshop 2018 to finish merging my images. I'm not seeing the menu items that the info I've seen appearing. Am I betting a dead horse or upgrade and move on?

Should work fine. I focus stack using Ps CS6 from 2012. Find instructions for stacking.

jackm1943 Loc: Omaha, Nebraska

It can be done in PS but there are programs that can do it much easier, faster, and better. Two very popular programs are Zerene and Helicon Focus. Both offer free trials.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

Thanks. I'll explore some more.

BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh

This might help guide you through it:

https://creativecloud.adobe.com/discover/article/focus-stacking-in-photoshop

salawrence1 Loc: California

Mark Denny does a great you tube video on focus stacking.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

Thanks I will try them.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

starlifter wrote:

Since recently acquiring a D 850 which enables me to delve into focus stacking easier. I have managed to take a series of photos, but now I feel I'm software impaired. Before I waste on more time I thought I'd ask for advice. I'm trying to use Photoshop 2018 to finish merging my images. I'm not seeing the menu items that the info I've seen appearing. Am I betting a dead horse or upgrade and move on?

I use Helcon Focus
My focus stacking in limited to manual focusing from front to back which works well for me.

rustfarmer

Note: Never "bet" on a dead horse, lol.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

Thanks, I meant to say beat. I try to type with stupid fingers some time.

senior techie Loc: Boca Raton Fl

salawrence1 wrote:

Mark Denny does a great you tube video on focus stacking.

Love his tutorials.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Here are a lot of links. Good luck!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Dz34MMjQ0&t=142s
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://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/

jws

Sorry, I don't mean to be rude but if you meant Photoshop Elements 2018, then you'll have get the Elements + add-in which costs less than $20.00 and includes a bunch of features including focus stacking. Hop this helps.

Roe Cole

I suggest moving to Adobe’s subscription plan. It’s paid monthly - $10 a month.

The current versions of both Photoshop and Lightroom are provided for that $10 a month fee. To me it was a no brainer.

Both PS and LR now have built in focus stacking that’s fairly easy to use.

starlifter Loc: Towson, MD

Thanks,I prefer not to do subscriptions. I'd rather buy the license outright.