ImageCreator Loc: Northern California

Once I capture 3-4 landscape images at different focus, what would be the workflow in photoshop to combine the images? Here is my current workflow. Please let me know if there is a better way.

1. I first select the images in Bridge.
2. Then I adjust all as a batch in Adobe camera raw.
3. I then open them all in PS.
4. I go to File, Automate, photomerge--then list the files again, check all the right boxes and hit ok.
After PS does its thing I make any further adjustments.

This method seems to work ok, but its a long process. I've searched in PS for some magic wand that simply says, "stack images" but can't seem to locate an easier way.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Is there a better software to use?

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

I think all you are getting with this method is a panorama.

Go to photoshopessentials.com and search for focus stacking. They have a nice writeup on it.

Cany143 Loc: SE Utah

As with most processes, there are usually several ways something can be done. My workflow in making focus stacked landscapes is different than yours (I start by importing to Lr, make minor processing adjustments (lens correction, mild highlight or shadow adjustments, etc.), then <Edit In><open as layers in Ps>. There, all of your batched ACR (or my Lr) adjusted images are 'opened' en mass as a linked (multi) layered image in PS, and a 'shift-left click' makes each of the layers active. From there the 'better' (but not the only) workflow is:

<Edit><Auto-Align Layers>
Then once that's done, <Edit><Auto-Blend Layers>
And once that's finished, <Layer><Flatten Image>

Alternately, in Ps, if each of the images are separate, you can <File><Scripts><Load Files Into Stack> and proceed with the align and blend as outlined above.

There are a LOT of other things that might or might not be worth doing (I sometimes select and delete whole out of focus sections of one or more layers, etc., etc.,) before blending, flattening, and proceeding to any further editing I choose to make.

Hope that helps

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

You don't need step 3. Make your adjustments in Bridge. Then, open Ps and use your step 4. Let Ps work its magic from there.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYA7wb2Vkz8&t=463s
--Bob

f8lee Loc: New Mexico

Oddly enough, I was just looking this up (technically looking up stacking in Lightroom) - this is the Adobe help page on the topic - and you can see that after selecting the images in question it say:

Choose Photo > Edit in > Open as Layers in Photoshop. The stacked photos will display an order number in the upper left corner of their thumbnails, with the top layer being photo 1 and so on.


Select the layers in the Layers panel. Choose Edit > Auto-Align Layers. Be sure to have Auto selected in the Auto-Align Layers dialog before pressing OK.
step

Select all the layers in the group. Choose Edit > Auto-Blend Layers. In the dialog, select Stack Images and click OK. Now you have your focus-stacked image shown as a layer mask.


https://www.adobe.com/creativecloud/photography/discover/focus-stacking.html

So I imagine the rules would be the same directly within Photoshop...

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I found the easiest way for me is to open PSE select guided photo merge open the photos in PSE and let it do its thing.
Far less steps than you do and quick.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

This is what I have - no magic wand, though.

http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-improve-your-long-exposure-with-photo-stacking/
https://digital-photography-school.com/a-beginners-guide-to-focus-stacking/
https://petapixel.com/2018/06/22/the-ultimate-focus-stacking-guide-for-landscape-photographers/
https://expertphotography.com/using-focus-stacking-correctly/

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Again, I view Adobe as a Swiss Army Knife... yes you can do everything... but a specialized tool for stacking si not that expensive... and you do not pay every month.

Alas!!! My view is not the view of the following article... and it gives a stepwise PS stacking procedure, altho it lists and discusses the other "best" programs.

For PS: File > Scripts > Open Stack
Edit > Auto-Align Layers
Edit > Auto-Blend Layers
Merge and adjust
https://www.photoworkout.com/best-focus-stacking-software/

Verryl

I'm sure Photoshop is great. I used to use it years ago, but it was very complicated. If I used it daily, I could have probably remembered how to do what I wanted, but for occasional use I had to relearn way too often.

I got a Lumix G9 mirrorless camera a couple of years ago specifically to take focus stacked photos of my very large (50 x 75 foot) model railroad--with 60 foot long benches I could not get both ends in focus . Shooting through the steel building walls was not possible, of course, so I had to shoot from the end of a bench which was only 8-10 feet from the camera.

The G9 has a "Post Focus" setting that takes a 30 frame video about 1 second long, and then touching about 3 "buttons" on the touch screen assembles the 30 "shots" into a focus stacked image. The process takes maybe 30 seconds, but always works, unless I did not hold the camera steady. If so, it signals a error, and cannot it complete the process, so I have to shoot over. The only time I have trouble holding it steady is if I try to lean over and hold the camera in an awkward position. Both the camera and the kit Leica lens are stabilized, so it is not hard to hand hold if for the 1 second if I have a stable stance.

Best of all I can remember how to 1) set the function to "Post Focus," 2) shoot, 3) push the "buttons" on the back screen in the order they appear, and 4) wait until the stacked photo appears. Then I enlarge the back screen image to 4x or 5x and examine couple of the corners for focus. I have not had to go back to the manual once.

I use Luminar 3 for all adjustments, and it is clear and simple to use. I have not gone to Luminar 4, because it does not have layers. I am sure that Photoshop is much more powerful, but Luminar easily does all I can imagine a photo needs, and it is very easy to use, and not too expensive.

But there is a significant investment, but if you are thinking of getting a mirrorless...

ImageCreator Loc: Northern California

From all I've learned from this post I've determined this: I have two choices: PS or Helicon Focus.

If I use PS, here is the process (with a final posted image).

1.Go to File, Scripts, load files into Stack.
2.in the dialogue box select your files to stack and check the box that says "attempt to align."
3. Once the files are loaded as layers into PS, select all layers, then
4. then go to Edit, Auto Blend layers, and check the box for stack images.
5. click ok and PS will work its magic.

Or, you can download Helicon focus for $30 a year. Less steps to stack images, but nearly identical results from PS.

Photoshop stacking of images

(Download)

Helicon Focus stacking of images

(Download)

JimH123 Loc: Morgan Hill, CA

For Helicon focus, the alternative is $115 for a lifetime license. This is what I have and have had it for years. Still does everything I need it to do.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

I've never found a reliable way of actually focus stacking in Photoshop. I use Affinity Photo's Focus Merge for this process; fast and easy!

bwa

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

What do you mean by “reliable”? I’ve done stacks of 300 images in PS and never had an issue.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Yes, I've done normal stacks in Photoshop but have never got a focus stack to work properly!

bwa

Jerry Coupe Loc: Kent, WA

Your example is exactly the process/workflow I follow. You saved me time typing...LOL