Tripod Canon 1DX Canon 180mm macro @ approx 1:1 with 12mm & 25mm extension tubes, twin flash in light box, 7 stacked images taken @ ISO 100, 1/30 sec f5.6.
The 7 images were converted to high quality jpeg prior to stacking in CS6. I didn't use a focusing rail for this set up.
All C&C welcome.
A pleasing pose and lovely color and comp. The transition between in-focus and out-of-focus are always abrupt in a partially stacked subject, so you might consider easing them a bit with some selective blurring at the transition. You might want to retouch the stack with parts of your most pleasing oof frame at the tail end and a couple spots on the leaf to our left which look partially in focus.
Interesting creature! Good points by Ron -- stacking is a fun exploration. If you get into it, Helicon Focus can give amazing results beyond what PS can do.
I'm not knowledgeable re: focus stacking...but I know what I like! :)) But I like this image! Exposure and composition are nicely done. Focus seems a tad bit back focused, but I find it a very pleasing image.
Interesting one. Never tried stacking so can't comment on the technical aspects. Lovely colours on the caterpillar and the bits that are sharp are nice and sharp. Personally I would have liked to have seen more of the body as I think it is a beauty of a caterpillar.