{"id":5545,"date":"2016-10-17T14:38:08","date_gmt":"2016-10-17T04:38:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thedocaus.com\/blog\/?page_id=5545"},"modified":"2019-02-22T10:13:15","modified_gmt":"2019-02-21T23:13:15","slug":"macro-photography-beginners-guide-to-focus-stacking","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thedocaus.com\/blog\/?page_id=5545","title":{"rendered":"Macro photography \u2013 beginners guide to focus stacking"},"content":{"rendered":"

Technique<\/strong><\/p>\n

This technique requires you to use a tripod and a remote. I focus on the nearest point of the subject, then work my way back. I suggest:<\/p>\n

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  1. Frame the shot. Frame your shot a little bigger than what you want, as the focus stacking may mean around 5% of the border area is lost. Tip:<\/strong> stacking gives you more data in the final photo, so minor cropping is not an issue.<\/li>\n
  2. Look at the subject from the side to work out the closet point to the camera lens. Then go to your camera.<\/li>\n
  3. Make sure the lens is in manual focus mode, not AF.<\/li>\n
  4. Start live view, focus on the closest point to the lens. Magnify that point to get precise manual focus. Tip:<\/strong> sometimes I move the focus ring back and forward just to ensure the best focus point.<\/li>\n
  5. Take the first shot.<\/li>\n
  6. Move the focus ring a smidgen (technical term) counter clockwise. I have seen people say 1mm. I find that is too far. I may move it \u00bd or 1\/3 mm, that is a smidgen. Note:<\/strong> move the focus ring counter clockwise when you are behind the camera where the photographer normally is. Warning:<\/b> Whether you move the focus ring clockwise or counter-clockwise will depend on the lens and the camera make. While a Canon focus ring is moved counter clockwise, a Pentax 120mm 645 Macro lens is moved clockwise, focusing from front to back. So you may need to experiment to find out the correct direction for your lens.<\/li>\n
  7. Take your hand off the focus ring, take the second shot, repeat as many times as necessary. Tip:<\/strong> I usually take a couple of extra shots after the furthest focus point. On a camera screen an image looks blurred before it is in real life. Then delete, in post, any images that are really out of focus.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Miscellaneous matters<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Other observations:<\/p>\n