STACKING TUTORIAL ...Using FREE software

[FUJI]

Right!....Pay attention at the back:

I have been itching to return to Macro Photo Stacking for some time now and this mornings post on the subject resulted in a favourable response from DaveW.......I promised to have a go and post the results....Here they are.....I used the FREE COMBINE ZP Stacking Software, which, as you can see works very well:

My first pic is of just one of the 8 Frames required for this particular stack....you will see the very shallow DOF typical of all Macro lenses...to create a fully focussed stack you require at least 5 frames taken with a camera on a tripod..........You can use the lens barrel to focus a section at a time...or, use an Ebay purchased Photo-Stacking Rail that holds the camera on the tripod.....when the adjuster is turned the camea moves in tiny increments backwards or forwards:

My second Pic....shows the completed 8 Frame Stack just as the Software completed it......You will see that to get the whole lichen covered twig in full focus would take many more frames.....I chose to stop at eight for this Demo: ......You will also see, what are known to Stackers, as Artefacts...small areas that the software hasn't quite coped with....here they were very bright flashes of sunlight coming through a nearby tree that changed rapidly.......it is almost certain that the expensive Pro stacking software would deal with these, once learned:

My third Pic, shows my Completed, Processed Stack using all 8 frames but with the unfocussed end cropped off, it was then given my usual treament plus very selective sharpening to add depth and texture: Should you do a little pixel peeping (especially on an iPad) you will be amazed at the detail.

The Free sofware only works with large JPEGS.....You load your chosen frames in.....then select ..Align Frames...Then GO.....it takes a minute or two to do this.......On completion you have a list of stacking methods to choose from...I use ...Hard Stack...then press GO.....This process takes quite a bit of time depending upon just how many frames you have asked it to work with...it is fascinating to watch....or...you can go and have a cup of coffee while you wait ;-)

Stacking isn't for the faint hearted, but , to me, far easier than creating a Triptych :-)........By the way you dont always require a tripod and stacking rail .....as long as you are certain of holding your camera steady and aim at EXACTLY the same point for each focussed frame...I can do this for up to 4 frames...great if you discover a stationary insect or bug in the field:

There are Dedicated Macro forums, but unless you are very serious and are willing to take hard critisism (especially from the creator of the expensive but amazing ...ZERENE..Stacking Software) and from experts who like to see photographs of nature exactly as shot:

Here endeth the Stacking Lesson............Come on DaveW ...no excuse now ;-)

PICS best viewed LARGE...Click on Pics:

FUJI

[Kobione]

Fuji, you put me on to this not long after I joined the forum and I had great fun with it. Haven't done it for ages, but think I'm going to have to have another go!

[Guest DaveW]

Only just found this Fuji since I only look in on a few posts in some of the Forum headings, so missed this in the processing one.

Yes I admit I am very lazy and have to be in the mood to do photography, unlike you enthusiastic ones as my other hobby comes first. I have all the kit including bellows, a reversed f2.8, 50mm EL Nikkor to go on them and even a StackShot I have not used yet (though I only got it a month ago). I guess previously I tried to run before I could walk since I tried at too high a magnification and even though my Nikon bellows has a fairly precise focusing rail it did not move reliably enough in the minute increments needed at the magnification I was using. I have no excuse now with the StackShot as it will automatically move in sub-millimeter increments, therefore I now need to get in the mood, use less magnification to start with and find a suitable subject. So keep prodding me Fuji as I can always find something more pressing to do than photography!

http://www.cognisys-...t/stackshot.php

DaveW

Edited December 10, 2012 by DaveW