Image Stacking

Sometimes one photograph will not provide enough depth of field. Image stacking is a technique that involves taking several images and focusing on different parts of the subject. I have been using this technique for a few years now. The images are put together in Photoshop by using Auto Blend. This allows me to increase the depth of field dramatically. The following image was made from seven images stacked for increased depth of field:

Pink Lady's Slipper (image stacking)

For comparison, the image below is is a single image shot at f8. You can see that the depth of field is much more limited.

Pink Lady's Slipper (one focus point/one image)

It is quite simple for a landscape image. I often only need 2 or 3 images to achieve maximum depth of field.

Erratic Rocks (image stacking)

For macro work, it often requires many more images:

Wild Columbine (image stacking)

Your photo subject needs to be motionless. I use a sturdy tripod and work on windless days. For flowers, I only want the parts of the flower in focus. I leave the background soft so it has a very natural look. Live view is the best way to focus. Switch to manual focus and zoom into 10X in live view. I use a remote to trigger the camera and often use mirror lockup. Most lenses have a particular aperture that is the sharpest. It is usually 2-3 stops down from wide open. If I’m only taking one image of a flower, I need to work at f22 or f32 to achieve the depth of field needed to have all of the parts of the flower sharp. This is not the optimum aperture. By stacking images, I can work at f8 or f11. This gives a much sharper image at the focus point.

If you use Lightroom, select and process the raw images. Then go to the menu Photo>Edit In>Open as Layers in Photoshop. If using Bridge, select and open in Adobe Camera Raw. Adjust all of the images and click Done. Then go to Tools>Photoshop>Load Files into Photoshop layers.

Once you have the images as layers, in Photoshop go to Edit>Auto-Align Layers. Then Edit>Auto-Blend Layers. There are sometimes little lines on the image at less than 100% view. If you zoom into 100% and still see areas that need editing, put a blank layer on top and use the spot healing brush with sample all layers turned on to fix up any blemishes.

Pent-up Energy

Lately we have been doing a lot of reorganizing of old images to consolidate our database and spending far too much time indoors for my taste. I felt like I had my creative edge back and yet here I was sitting at a computer. But last week we finally decided to get out of town for a few days. We risked the bugs and the weather and headed to Killarney Provincial Park.

Georgian Bay Islands - Click for larger

Our friend James Toth joined us for a few days of paddling and photography. It's difficult for us to travel with non-photographers. Most people do not want to get up before the sun and risk extreme blood loss from all the biting insects. But James being the fine photographer that he is was up for the adventure.

James Kayaking in Killarney - Click for larger

We did a bit of hiking and paddling. There was a lot to see: orchids in bloom, bears, loons, frogs, and some wonderful scenery.

Pink Lady's Slippers - Click for larger

Female Black Bear - Click for larger

Bullfrog - Click for larger

Cranberry Bog, Killarney - Click for larger

I tried to use my 500mm f4 lens in the canoe. It is so difficult to do. Great when it works but it is so big that using it on a tripod really limits the angle of view. Sometimes it is worth the aggravation and sometimes it is not. I used my 70-200 quite a bit as well.

Common Loon on Nest - Click for larger

Our intention was to get some new loon images. James spotted the one above sitting on a nest on top of a beaver lodge. We saw several and they would swim quite close. We could even watch them swim under the canoe! I didn’t get a photo of the loons underwater but I will never forget the sight.

Common Loon - Click for larger

There was so much going on, it was difficult to leave. Lori and I extended our stay for a few days. We had an event to attend in Toronto on Friday so eventually we had to head back. All in all, we had a great week and have many new images to prep. This was a nice warm up for the summer shoot.

Female Common Merganser - Click for larger

When we arrived home, the cardinal nest in my backyard had 2 hatchlings. The parents were busy feeding the young. I set up my camera in my dining room and spent most of the day photographing their activity out through the back window.

Northern Cardinals at Nest - Click for larger

I have so much pent up energy. I’m really looking forward to getting on the road!