Metalic -- Blue -- Repetition

[mtngal]

I like it! Love the lighting. And knowing me, I'd probably go back and try taking sets to focus stack them. But I don't think its necessary, I like your photo just the way it is.

And it's given me all kinds of ideas of things to try on Sunday, when I get a chance.

[calr]

OK! Now I have seen two references to "focus stack". Is that a process similar to HDR processing?

Cal

[Bynx]

A program like Helicon Focus works similar to Photomatix. A number of images are taken each with a different focus. When the object has been covered there could be 25 or 30 shots taken. These are assembled by Helicon Focus and the result is one shot all in focus. Here is the head of a wasp I took during the summer when they built a nest in an old bbq on my balcony.

[mtngal]

That's an awesome wasp, very scary.

I've seen focus stacking also called dof extension. I know you can it in Photoshop, though I'm not sure it is as good as Helicon Focus (which I've never used). I've used the CS6 version - I think it's part of the layers-blend feature (but I don't have my computer here to verify). I've also used that feature to take two frames of a subject, taken from slightly different locations and with different out of focus intrusions, and let CS6 merge them to get rid of them. I was really delighted with the results, since I had tried it on the off-chance it would work, not with any real expectations that it would.

[Bynx]

With focus stacking, depending on how deep you are going its not unusual to be using 25 or 30 shots to come up with the final.

[selvin]

What will those software writers think of next. Software wizardry aside, Bynx beautiful submission.