Photo Stacking, what is it?

[BarbH]

Hello I was hoping that someone could explain a new photography technique that I came across in a thread, photo stacking. Any links that might be helpful in explaining this or how to do this? Thanks.

 

[swannyson7]

I've never really tried it, but here's my basic understanding:
Several photos are captured of a given subject with a relatively narrow depth of field (DOF), each with a slightly different focus. For instance, if using image stacking on a colony of zoanthids, you would have one image with polyp A in focus, one with polyp B in focus, etc. Then a computer program overlays all of the images and uses portions from each image to ensure that the entire colony will be in focus. I beleive it is similar to shooting with a wide DOF, but allows you to have a quick shutter speed seeing as you are adjusting the image with post processing. A larger DOF will slow the shutter significantly, so it leaves your prone to image blur. I'm sure some of the experts can chime in with program recommendations & a more in depth/accurate explanation.

 

[BarbH]

Thank you swannyson

 

[bige]

I think there is an app for that. But not for "real" cameras. But I'm no expert.

 

[strange33w]

Thats kinda cool. I would like to see some shots that have been doen this way.

 

[Benighted]

I've been doing some photo-stacking on insects and so in earlier, been thinking of doing it for the tank also but haven't got to that yet...

What you do is as some already said, take several pictures from the same exact direction, but either shift the focus a bit, or preferably move the camera a small amount towards the subject... The technique is a lot easier if you've got at steady tripod, and a focusing rail to move the camera small increments...

You take a picture, move the camera a small amount forwards (or back), take another picture move, repeat until you've reached the end of the depth of field you want, then you use some software, photoshop works, using layers, but there are specialized software out there, like, Zerene Stacker (commercial), Helicon (commercial), CombineZP (free).

You will have to do it in a timely manner as if the polyps, etc move too much the results will suffer, you also will have to shut down the circulation in order to reduce the movement between the pictures. The combination of the pictures sometimes be time consuming in order to minimize defects like haloing (parts of a unfocused image makes a halo around the sharp image) and so on...

I was actually just yesterday thinking about writing a tutorial on photo stacking, so if there is an interest in it i may do that in a aquarium setting for you guys.

 

[BarbH]

Hello Benighted and welcome to r2r. Thanks for the information, I have photoshop elements, I wonder if that would work? Also it would be awesome if you would be interested/willing to write a tutorial on it.

 

[kuyatwo]

here is a thread my buddy started it shows three pics and final result, it also includes a youtube video to help you through it

DFW Marine Aquarium Society • View topic - Focus Stacking

 

[BarbH]

here is a thread my buddy started it shows three pics and final result, it also includes a youtube video to help you through it

DFW Marine Aquarium Society • View topic - Focus Stacking

Thank you for sharing the link

 

[mfdrookie516]

Here is a series of videos that a macro genius posted that really helped me with focus stacking -

[video=youtube;kDvXyWJWvS4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kDvXyWJWvS4[/video]

[video=youtube;D9WhvQUTzJI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=D9WhvQUTzJI[/video]

[video=youtube;GLSBa1jyQUk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=GLSBa1jyQUk[/video]

[video=youtube;_qQo4x_Q9Sk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=_qQo4x_Q9Sk[/video]

[video=youtube;ogttkZNBC6k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ogttkZNBC6k[/video]

[video=youtube;FJXEpgQYiDM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FJXEpgQYiDM[/video]