Trying stacking Macro shots

[kevinl]

1st try at stacking focus in Cs6. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Nikon D800, 105mm.

Meteor Shower, ISO-200, f10, 1/8 sec.

Not really sure what this one is, any help? ISO-400, f8, 1/30 sec.

On the left is Strawberry Shortcake, right side not sure again. ISO-400, f8, 1/30sec.

Stylophora ISO-200, f10, 1/8 sec.

Duncan Head ISO-200, f10, 1/8 sec.

 

[frankyrivera]

Holy hell how does one photo stack I must learn this technique

 

[kevinl]

Holy hell how does one photo stack I must learn this technique

Really not that hard!
5 to 7 shots at diff. focal setting, then all shots taken into Cs6 at one time under "open in Cs6 as layers", select all layers, then edit - auto align layers & then again edit - auto blend layers &&& wa-la it's done.

 

[Reef Bass]

Franky, focus stacking involves taking multiple shots with slightly different focal plane positions and stitching them together with software in an attempt to produce an image with the entire subject in focus. The duncan head above serves well as an example. Nice job on that one kevinl.

 

[jroovers]

Really like the cyphastrea and the Duncan! So you are using only between 5 and 7 exposures? That isn't too bad really, I thought you would have needed more.

My only criticism (potentially) is that it looks a bit un-natural to have the corals not sitting on something - in pics 2 and 3 more example, I can see encrusted base on the SPS but underneath there is only blackness? I'm guessing you just blacked out the rocks they are on? Maybe leaving that part in would create more of a natural image. But maybe your intent is to create more of an abstract image isolating only the coral. The third pic if you could bring back some of the detail in the polyps that would be good too, they look blown out. Pretty nit-picky stuff though on some fantastic images, thanks for posting.

 

[kevinl]

Thanks Reef Bass & jr.
Nit-picky is what I'm looking for. Meteor shower is my fav as well, it & #4 are natural backgrounds.
I'm using a Cam Ranger, wirelessly connects my D800 to an ipad. It has a auto stacking program & 5 to 7 shots usually is enough. If doing manual focusing I could see 10 to 20 shots easily!
Coral photography is very new to me & keeping lens at 90 degrees on glass really limits comp, hence the false backgrounds and centering on 2,3 & 5.
Are there any tips or tricks at getting around the 90 degree rule & working with WB under 18k or 20k lighting?
Thanks

 

[NateHarris]

That is some of the most amazing stuff I've seen. How did you manage the black background? Erasing around the subject and bucket fill with black?

 

[kevinl]

Thanks Nate!
In Cs6 I use the quick selection tool, taking some time for a good selection.
Then use refine edge, add some edge detection & 1 or 2 in feathering. Then inverse the selection and pull up levels, slide the bottom slider from white to black.

 

[frankyrivera]

So basically u need photoshop. Can u photo stack with Lightroom

 

[snorvich]

Absolutely awesome images!

 

[kevinl]

Thanks Steve,
Franky, I think only photoshop will do that work not sure if Lightroom can do layers. Maybe new lightroom 5 will work with layers. I'm sure there are other programs that can do it.

 

[frankyrivera]

I only have photoshop elements not the full fledged cs4 or cs6. Or whatever photoshop version they are up to now lol. Can it be done with that

 

[nadinemccarthy]

I have elements as well. Incredible photographs.

 

[NateHarris]

OK, I'm gonna give this a try. Need some macros first. I am new to macro's, so what is a good place to start? Like, were these taken under bright light, then toned down in CS6?

 

[kevinl]

OK, I'm gonna give this a try. Need some macros first. I am new to macro's, so what is a good place to start? Like, were these taken under bright light, then toned down in CS6?

Nate lighting was under Radion Gen2 at 18k. Probably biggest help in WB is to shoot in RAW then work with WB in your software program.
Check this thread "Please help me improve my aquarium photography"
Reef Bass explains a lot of info very well! I myself read and learn from these guys here.

 

[faithenfire]

sounds like macro hdr.
i use corel paintprox5 and it has an hdr tool. it stitches and aligns which is always nice. my phone does it on it's own too
i think photobucket has a tool that does it as well.

 

[OzarksReef]

sounds like macro hdr.
i use corel paintprox5 and it has an hdr tool. it stitches and aligns which is always nice. my phone does it on it's own too
i think photobucket has a tool that does it as well.

HDR is actually stitching together a different series of exposures (rather than focal points). This allows you to get "high dynamic range" in your shots - bright and dark areas all exposed evenly. Similar technique, but with a different goal.

To the OP: Very cool stuff here - thanks for sharing!

 

[faithenfire]

ah, i thought he said exposure...that makes more sense then
however the phone tool can't be used but i think the hdr tools could till be used for alighnment. however most people i know do that sort of thing manually. better control

 

[jroovers]

I only have photoshop elements not the full fledged cs4 or cs6. Or whatever photoshop version they are up to now lol. Can it be done with that

You may not be able to do it with that, not sure. There are specific focus stacking programs out there, many can be trialed for free, you may want to google and try one of those programs.

 

[pluteoid]

Have these focus-stacked shots been removed by OP, or is my browser just not loading them? Would love to see them.