Iris with raindrops -- Auto Blending test

[Dennis Bishop]

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

[Brendan Dozier]

This is wonderful, Dennis! Like the comp, colors and water beads. Nice job processing and thanks for sharing your work flow. I think this would also be fine to post in the macro forum as well.

[denise ippolito]

Dennis nice job with this and a very lovely subject. You did a great job with adding the filtering selectively and with the stacking. Thanks for sharing your workflow. Have you tried the free software Combine ZP Image Stacking?

[Dennis Bishop]

I decided it was worth showing the two extremes in focus even if nobody asked.

[Dennis Bishop]

This is wonderful, Dennis! Like the comp, colors and water beads. Nice job processing and thanks for sharing your work flow. I think this would also be fine to post in the macro forum as well.

Thanks, Brendan. I thought it might be good to post it in the macro forum in case the people who frequent it but not OOTB don't know about the Auto Blend feature. However, I figured I'd taken too many liberties with the image to put it there.

Dennis nice job with this and a very lovely subject. You did a great job with adding the filtering selectively and with the stacking. Thanks for sharing your workflow. Have you tried the free software Combine ZP Image Stacking?

And thanks, Denise. I knew nothing about CombineZP until just now. If you've tried it, do you think it has advantages over what's already in Photoshop?

[denise ippolito]

Dennis, I am pretty sure that CZ does not work with Mac, also I am pretty sure it does not work in 16 bit so I would say no to your question but I do think that since it is free and several of the folks here on BPN have had great success with the program it may be worth trying. Richard Lovison has created some great looks by using the program. I have used it successfully but I personally still like to layer my images manually but that is just because I have done it like that for so long and I am not fond of edges or halos that usually come from allowing a program to do the aligning. I also only layer portions of the images. I only mentioned the program because you had mentioned Helicon Focus and the cost.

[Jay Sheinfield]

Dennis, Very, very nice. I like the design of this. I have never taken an Iris image that I liked, but I really like this one. I'm on the fence re the left side brown leaf. The color is different enough and the cut seems to draw my eye outside the frame...........no biggie though, the overall feeling is nice. I might blend in the dark areas in the LLC for a more uniform BG, but I'm starting to nitpick and getting in the area of personal taste. All in all, nicely done! Will have to try that Snap Art software.............

[Cheryl Slechta]

Dennis, this is beautifully done. I love the colors and the flow of the image. The dew drops are definitely a plus. Thanks for sharing your workflow

[Indranil Sircar]

This is a wonderful composition, Dennis. The macro looks awesome with those water drops and I love the colors. Excellent processing and effect. TFS.

[Andrew McLachlan]

Hi Dennis, late to the party, but lovely image. I like the additional DOF you achieved with the stacking.

[Maureen Allen]

Very nicely done, Dennis. Love the water droplets. Thanks for sharing your workflow.

[Roman Kurywczak]

Hey Deninis,
Nice job with the focus stack. Water drops are a very nice touch!