1 Attachment(s)
Iris with raindrops -- Auto Blending test
I've been plagued for a long time by the problem of using a macro lens close to the subject and having to live with a limited depth of field. Last year, I tried some incremental focusing with the thought that I'd either demo Helicon Focus to see how well it worked or try stacking and masking the individual shots in Photoshop. Helicon Focus cost more than I wanted to pay, and I wasn't all that excited about doing the manual masking in Photoshop, so I just kept the idea on my list. (Not at the top.) As I was reading Outdoor Photographer the other day, I learned that Photoshop -- at least CS4 and 5 -- have the capability built in, so I decided to try it out. In my estimation, it was a great success. If anyone wants, I'll post the two extreme original shots so you can see what was in focus in each. (The closest part of the upper purple petal was not in focus in any of the shots.)
ISO 100, 1/125 at f/8, 105mm macro lens
three incrementally focused images using a tripod
stacked the three images as layers in Photoshop
ran Auto Align just to make sure
ran Auto Blend to mask the focused part of each layer
very, very slight crop at top & bottom (because they hadn't been perfectly aligned -- probably messed that up during focusing)
Viveza to increase the contrast and brightness of the bluish purple petals somewhat
Snap Art -- Stylize/line art at reduced opacity to add the gray outlines (most easily seen around the water drops)
Levels
Snap Art -- Oil Paint on background, only
blur vignette (thanks, Denise) on all edges except over the light-colored petal(s)
gradient vignette