Macro Exercises #3 Focus stacking
Lord Vetinari
Registered Users Posts: 15,901 Major grins
Macro tutorial 3
Focus stacking.
Focus stacking can be used to increase the available DOF in a shot. You might want to do this where you just can't get the required DOF no matter what aperture you use, or where you are using fairly open apertures to minimise diffraction softening but want to make up some DOF.
First you need to down load and install Combinezm via this link http://www.hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/CZM/Manual/Install.htm
Taking pics for a stack.
You need a subject which is not moving whilst taking the photos. I tend to use fixed focus move the camera unti the first part of the subject comes into focus, take a shot but note where the subject is just going OOF. I then move the camera in trying to keep the FOV similar and not rotating the camera until the OOF area in the previous shot just comes into focus. Continue doing this until you have coverd the rquired DOF. If you are using a tripod (perhaps recommended for first goes at this) then do the same thing but use the focus ring to move to the next "slice".
I use combinezm directly after doing RAW conversion on the pics. it is important that the pics used are all exactly the same pixel size.
Below are 3 shot slices I'm going to use for this stack of a damselfly sitting next to it's exuvium (empty shell).
pic1
Pic 2
Pic 3
Run Combinezm and load the files by clicking on File/New.
And choose the file set using the [CTL] key
To do the stack click on Macro/ Do Stack
The programme will then chunter away comparing the shots, aligning then, colour matching them.
Finding detail, applying low and high pass filters before the stacked image appears.
Use the File/ Save Frame/Picture as Dialogue to name and save the picture. I use quality 100% jpgs.
You'll notice that in this stacked picture there is some Distortion on the RHS- this is normal and is caused by the slight change in FOV that has to occur in the different slices (ie that part of the image was missing in some of the slices). You just crop this off in PP. However there is also some disappointing noise blotching in the background. You may also see some haloing (not in this example) around high contrast edges. The latter two defects are caused by mis-alignment of the shots. This can sometimes be helped by clicking on Stack/ Reverse order and doing the stack again. However a more precise way of dealing with it, is to align the pictures manually before doing the stack. Doing this will also correct any rotational errors present in the different slices.
Manual Alignment.
Use the View/ Go to frame dialogue
and if the frames were shot in focus order choose the middle frame as the "master" frame.
Find two readily identifiable spots which are present in all the images and are fairly widely spaced (you may need to look at the other images using the View frames to check this). Place the mouse cursor over the left point and hit the 1 key and then click on exit in the dialogue box. Place the cursor on the right hand side point and hit the 2 key- click on exit on the resulting dialogue box.
Now use the View frames dialogue to go to another frame. Place the cursor over the LHS point and hit the 3 key, click on exit in the resulting dialogue box. Place the cursor over the RHS point and hit the 4 key. Now instead of clicking on Exit, click on Set and Use Params then click on OK in the next dialogue box
Repeat the latter process on all the remaining slices (not the "master") re-using the 3 and 4 keys.
When you have finished click on Macro/ do Stack again and let it run through
You'll see this time the image is cleaner- save it and then do a de- noise and clean up the image in PP.
Resulting stacked Image
.
Exercise
Fairly obvious- find a suitable subject and take a slice sequence- use the software to put the image together and then post back here the first shot in the slice set and the resulting stacked image.
Brian Valentine.
Focus stacking.
Focus stacking can be used to increase the available DOF in a shot. You might want to do this where you just can't get the required DOF no matter what aperture you use, or where you are using fairly open apertures to minimise diffraction softening but want to make up some DOF.
First you need to down load and install Combinezm via this link http://www.hadleyweb.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/CZM/Manual/Install.htm
Taking pics for a stack.
You need a subject which is not moving whilst taking the photos. I tend to use fixed focus move the camera unti the first part of the subject comes into focus, take a shot but note where the subject is just going OOF. I then move the camera in trying to keep the FOV similar and not rotating the camera until the OOF area in the previous shot just comes into focus. Continue doing this until you have coverd the rquired DOF. If you are using a tripod (perhaps recommended for first goes at this) then do the same thing but use the focus ring to move to the next "slice".
I use combinezm directly after doing RAW conversion on the pics. it is important that the pics used are all exactly the same pixel size.
Below are 3 shot slices I'm going to use for this stack of a damselfly sitting next to it's exuvium (empty shell).
pic1
Pic 2
Pic 3
Run Combinezm and load the files by clicking on File/New.
And choose the file set using the [CTL] key
To do the stack click on Macro/ Do Stack
The programme will then chunter away comparing the shots, aligning then, colour matching them.
Finding detail, applying low and high pass filters before the stacked image appears.
Use the File/ Save Frame/Picture as Dialogue to name and save the picture. I use quality 100% jpgs.
You'll notice that in this stacked picture there is some Distortion on the RHS- this is normal and is caused by the slight change in FOV that has to occur in the different slices (ie that part of the image was missing in some of the slices). You just crop this off in PP. However there is also some disappointing noise blotching in the background. You may also see some haloing (not in this example) around high contrast edges. The latter two defects are caused by mis-alignment of the shots. This can sometimes be helped by clicking on Stack/ Reverse order and doing the stack again. However a more precise way of dealing with it, is to align the pictures manually before doing the stack. Doing this will also correct any rotational errors present in the different slices.
Manual Alignment.
Use the View/ Go to frame dialogue
and if the frames were shot in focus order choose the middle frame as the "master" frame.
Find two readily identifiable spots which are present in all the images and are fairly widely spaced (you may need to look at the other images using the View frames to check this). Place the mouse cursor over the left point and hit the 1 key and then click on exit in the dialogue box. Place the cursor on the right hand side point and hit the 2 key- click on exit on the resulting dialogue box.
Now use the View frames dialogue to go to another frame. Place the cursor over the LHS point and hit the 3 key, click on exit in the resulting dialogue box. Place the cursor over the RHS point and hit the 4 key. Now instead of clicking on Exit, click on Set and Use Params then click on OK in the next dialogue box
Repeat the latter process on all the remaining slices (not the "master") re-using the 3 and 4 keys.
When you have finished click on Macro/ do Stack again and let it run through
You'll see this time the image is cleaner- save it and then do a de- noise and clean up the image in PP.
Resulting stacked Image
.Exercise
Fairly obvious- find a suitable subject and take a slice sequence- use the software to put the image together and then post back here the first shot in the slice set and the resulting stacked image.
Brian Valentine.
0
Comments
WOW!!!!
I've just downloaded CombineZm, and was pleased that VISTA let me load it on my computer :ivar .... but it didn't come with a free bug to try it with hehehe.
An excellent Tutorial Brian, and I hope folks will show us their results from learning this amazing Stacking Technique.
Thank you again
.
Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"
ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/
:skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
May we have your permission to have this live permanently on our Tutes site at http://dgrin.smugmug.com ?
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You could always try it with my low res slices above, but you would need to ensure the pixel sizes of the 3 pics are exactly the same.
Brian V.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
Hi Andy- no problem with that.
brian V.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
Some fantastic work beeing shown here. Hardly dare post anything myself.
Done on a tripod indoors. F11, SS ~1 sek with timer. Started at Macro 1:1 and used the focus ring to go further out.
Havent got round to the focusing tutorial yet, so I didnt dare try hand held.
First shot:
Stacked 6 shots in total:
Could do with some added "pop" but...
Havent tried the manual stacking jig yet. Have to do it later since life is making some heavy duty inroads into the fun stuff.
Impressive software and a really interesting tutorial.
Thanks.
Brian V.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
I've used HeliconFocus ( http://www.heliconsoft.com/heliconfocus.html ) for several microscopic shots (and a few macros) in the past that needed to be stacked to enhance the visible DOF but it can be a bit costly (US$30 for one year, $115 for life) if you do not use it much (although I do like its interface). CombineZM is aparently "free". Rather than buy another year's license, do you feel Combine ZM is as good as HeliconFocus Lite?
When I get some time I will download and play with CombineZM, but was hoping you might be able to give me a quick answer. Thanks for letting me "pick your brain"! Also, EXCELLENT tutorial!!!
-Henry-
Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est.
Henry - I do have helicon focus but only tried it after I been using combinezm and I'm still using combinezm. I had more stack errors with helicon- not sure if it's less forgiving of mis-alignments or not but I just found combinezm more reliable in giving reasonable stacks.
brian V.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est.
Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam
http://www.mcneel.com/users/jb/foghorn/ill_shut_up.au
Hi Phil, it's amazing how much detail is brought out in STACKING.
Nice to see your not lurking any more
I'm keen to try this stacking technique out myself, it's a matter of finding something to try it on
Thanks for sharing your stacked image Phil, hard to believe from the looks of the first image that you could end up with a result as in your second image ... Well Done
.
Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"
ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/
:skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
"First" non stacked image:
Stacked Image:
T
www.studioTphotos.com
"Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons."
----Ruth Ann Schubacker
As you say getting the slices you want comes with practice. This is a nice example because you still have some nice OOF areas in the pic which gives a sense of depth. One problem with focus stacking is that it takes away the visual clues we use to judge depth and so if it is done too much you can end up with a very "flat" looking shot.
Brian V.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
Makes sense. Thanks.
T
www.studioTphotos.com
"Each day comes bearing its own gifts. Untie the ribbons."
----Ruth Ann Schubacker
Wow you can soooooooo see the difference
The more you do the better you will get at it, but gosh it looks great for a first attempt
.
Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"
ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/
:skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
www.intruecolors.com
Nikon D700 x2/D300
Nikon 70-200 2.8/50 1.8/85 1.8/14.24 2.8
Only progs for a MAC I've seen are Helicon focus (commercial but with 30Day free trial) or this http://bigwww.epfl.ch/demo/edf/ which I think is freeware plugin for another freeware prog (imagej?)
Brian V.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
This is my first effort with stacked images - 12 in total, then a bit of post to remove a few bits of sensor grime.
My wife keeps asking for a stack of lillies...
At least flowers don't run away as I'm trying to focus. I tried to follow a bee yesterday!
Matthew
(Great tutorial, thanks. I had tried CombineZM before but lack of will power beat me.)
Brian V.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
They do have a great texture. I guess I got carried away watching the focus move on the water droplets!
Matthew
Hi Matthew, you can clearly see the difference in your two shots
Well Done
.
Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"
ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/
:skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
Just a 2 shot stack
Brian V.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
It's not as easy to see the stages at all as I thought it would be,
maybe its the subject I chose?
Here's my attempt, I can see it has a flaw in it, but I do see how it all comes together now, so I'm happy with that
.... Skippy
.
Here is the Final Image, faulty but not too bad
.
Below is one of the images used in the Stack
.
Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"
ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/
:skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
Hi skippy- Beautiful Lilly
the stack looks as if it has worked perfectly- you always get a border somewhere caused by the FOVs changing- you just crop that off (on the RHS)- the image output from the stacking prog is actually bigger than the input sizes so you are not really cropping
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
Ohhhhhhh good, thanks Brian
I tell you folks if I can do it, you can do it
Thanks for the wonderful tutorial, I need to find meself a bug now
... Skippy
.
Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"
ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/
:skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
I cannot wait to try this. I am with skippy I am going bug hunting!
Brian V.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/
.
Skippy (Australia) - Moderator of "HOLY MACRO" and "OTHER COOL SHOTS"
ALBUM http://ozzieskip.smugmug.com/
:skippy Everyone has the right to be stupid, but some people just abuse the privilege :dgrin
Brian V.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lordv/
http://www.lordv.smugmug.com/