I'm testing a new program (from Russia) that allows you to shoot a series of macro photos and combine them all into one image with everything in focus - you know, like for those times when it is impossible to get great depth of field when with macro. I made several test shots today and wanted to share the first one - no way I could have gotten this entire flower (and its leaf) in focus, but with the new program it only took a single click! (when you vary your focus the entire image size changes, so it is not as simple as stacking photos and painting in the areas that are in focus, but this little program does it automatically) This one was nine photos, each with a different plane of focus from the front of the image to the back of the leaf.
I'm looking forward to making more tests and processing others that I shot today. One of the great values of this program is that you will be able to shoot at the optimum f-stop of your lens and get basically infinite depth without any of the softening issues you get when you stop down for increased depth of field. If it works out well I'll post more results here.
The early spring wildflowers are exploding in several areas in the Ozarks right now, about a week late, but coming on strong...
If the rest are anything like this, I'd say it works very well. This is really nice! I like how the leaves are sidelit, which frames the bloom nicely. Looking forward to seeing the others...
It's Helicon Focus - are there others? On my second image there was a bit of ghosting on the final image that required a bit of cleanup, but there was a lot more detail, plus I was at 1:1, so perhaps I should have done 18 exposures instead of just nine. I think that may be the key, especially with really complicated detail - to just move the focus a tiny bit each time - I think the program can handle a lot of exposures. Also when the subject moves just the slightest bit (it doesn't take much at 1:1 on a windy day to move a flower, even inside the light tent!) I think it might mess things up. The key is to REMEMBER to plan ahead and do the series of shots, with something before and after the sequence so you can tell where you started/ended. I will definately be using this program more and will be teaching it during the next wildflower workshop in March, 2008 (and as a demonstration in the other workshops).
Posted by Tim Ferrell on March 23, 2007 at 9:20 AM
Combine ZM is a free one I'm not sure if they do Mac yet.
"The key is to REMEMBER to plan ahead and do the series of shots, with something before and after the sequence so you can tell where you started/ended" I need this on a note card or something.
"The key is to REMEMBER to plan ahead and do the series of shots, with something before and after the sequence so you can tell where you started/ended".
Sounds like a good use for the microphone function on the D2x. That always seemed like a handy little feature, but I've never used it, except to test it to see if it worked. It's use would save a few frames on the flash card.
I don't know how the Nikon one works, but the Canon created a sound file that you had to listen to in a different program - it was kind of a pain to do so I forgot about it and never used it. Nikon might be easier, although I bet it still requires you to open another program. I guess I talk to my camera enough already when I am out, and most of the time I would rather it not be recorded!
Posted by Wayne Rhodus on March 24, 2007 at 8:48 AM
Wow, impressive! The color and detail of this compliation are incredible. Of course to use something like this software I'd have to actually get out and take 9 images!
And I don't know about note cards or sound bites but I'm running out of wrist space for my crib notes ....
Discussion
8 repliesI'm looking forward to making more tests and processing others that I shot today. One of the great values of this program is that you will be able to shoot at the optimum f-stop of your lens and get basically infinite depth without any of the softening issues you get when you stop down for increased depth of field. If it works out well I'll post more results here.
The early spring wildflowers are exploding in several areas in the Ozarks right now, about a week late, but coming on strong...
BTW, have you seen any Dutchman's Breeches yet?
BTW - that really IS an impressive depth of field!
"The key is to REMEMBER to plan ahead and do the series of shots, with something before and after the sequence so you can tell where you started/ended" I need this on a note card or something.
Sounds like a good use for the microphone function on the D2x. That always seemed like a handy little feature, but I've never used it, except to test it to see if it worked. It's use would save a few frames on the flash card.
And I don't know about note cards or sound bites but I'm running out of wrist space for my crib notes ....