30 replies to this topic

[Tony892]

Has anyone tried photomatix programme rather than photoshop for producing HDR photos?

[LesM]

Nice depth of field in that flower. This PS technique is a great way to increase dof while also keeping the image tack sharp and free from the image softening effects of small aperture. I use this technique often for landscapes to avoid f/16 and f/22 apertures.

 

The results usually turn out best by shooting more photos with finely changing focus points, providing a greater number of images in the stack.

 

I've noticed this technique sometimes leaves obvious halo artifacts in some images, especially when intricately shaped foreground content stands in front of a far background, such as a branched tree limb with mountains in the distance. Below is a good example of this halo artifact issue:

 

Full image with merged focus made from 7 images with different points of focus:

 

 

1:1 closeup of top left of center portion of the stacked image, showing focus halo artifacts around the foreground conifer branch.

 

[rockjedi]

Stunning picture. Will have to give it a try myself sometime.

[Sante]

I definitely will try focus bracketing. I have to learn how to do the settings on the camera.

[Stas]

Good photo and interesting feature and technique. It is pity that d200 haven't a focus bracketing.

[TBonz]

Interesting...it has probably been 20 years since I've played with Macro, but spent lots of time playing with it back then...I'm sure I still have the negatives some place...I definitely plan to add a macro lens at some point, but need to get some of the other tools first...maybe in a few years...

[Merco_61]

I have experimented some with zerene stacker to drill down the stack and a 105/4AI macro lens. The advantage of the old lens is that I can refocus the lens instead of using a macro rail to move the camera since it is unitfocusing and doesn't change focal length when focusing. I would like to have a RRS focusing rail, but they are *expensive*

[Paladin]

I try to take several photos with different parts in focus when doing macro photography.

I then use a technique called focus stacking in Photoshop (google it) to improve the depth of field, which is notoriously shallow with macro lenses

Here's an example of a Red flowered Kurrajong created from 5 photos:

Looks great mate!

 

I haven't done any focus stacking yet, but I have been reading about it which interest me very much.

I use Photoshop at my place of work every day, but have not "as yet" got into focus stacking.

There is a program called "Zerene Stacker" that is supposed to be very good at this type of thing as well.

Before I get into Focus Stacking, which I really believe is needed to create the most stunning images, I am going to search for a good Focus Rail.

 

Anyway, what you did looks like a real good job of getting it all together. Cheers!

[Nasseh]

Nice Pic.  I don't have a dedicated Macro lens yet but was wondering if anyone has any joy with close up filters instead of a dedicated lens?

 

Hi Ian,

You can use extension tubes. they are much cheaper than a dedicated Macro lens.

[Merco_61]

Extension tubes steal light, cheap close-up lenses distort and good close-up lenses can cost as much as a used macro lens.

We have a member who likes his close-up lenses with a 18-55 kit lens. His latest post is here.

[Nasseh]

Extension tubes steal light, cheap close-up lenses distort and good close-up lenses can cost as much as a used macro lens.

We have a member who likes his close-up lenses with a 18-55 kit lens. His latest post is here.

 

Hi Macro_61,

 

You are right, but if you manage it to have sufficient light, extension tubes are fine. undoubtedly, using a Macro lens is far better but I think extension tubes can be a cheap alternative.  I own a kenko extension tube set and they are just fine. this is a sample photo of a very tiny ant using those extension tubes. ( I didn't know focus bracketing that time so, the DOF is very shallow). I try to do a better job using this technique.

 

good luck