pniev
Student for life
I don't think a thread exists on this topic, so I thought to start one to share experience, questions, and examples. Mods: feel free to delete this post if there is already a thread on stacking.
I never paid much attention to the technique because I like shooting close-up and macro w/o tripod. I also like to use bokeh to accentuate certain parts of a product, flower, or other object/subject. However, for watch photography I need to go a step further in my technique.
When I saw Michael Erlewine's photos I experienced a mindshift. He is such a great source of inspiration. I am sure I will never achieve his mastery level, but I do hope to improve my photography with this technique.
The basic technique appears to be simple: focus on various parts of the object, align photos, blend photos. Adobe Photoshop offers “auto functionality”: open photos as layers, select all layers, auto-align, auto-blend, flatten image and save. Michael’s favorite program is ZereneStacker. But I decided to increase my shooting proficiency before looking at other software. Using a tripod helps, but could be avoided. When using a tripod, aperture priority mode with ISO 100 can be preselected.
Let me share my initial experiences, based on some photos (yours could be different). Most photos are based on 20-30 shots.
1. Planning is essential. While it is not necessary to shoot 200 images, it is important to know the DoF and carefully and methodologically select focus areas. I did not do that in this photo. You will see some blurred areas that should not be blurred.
This is relatively easy. Not a lot of curves, so less shots:
2. Watches are, like drops, trickier because of the curves. You will notice some inconsistencies when you zoom in:
3. There is no need to get everything in focus! I like these ones although I should have made a few more photos of the crown:
This one has too many flowers in focus. I don't like that.
Feel free to add your own thoughts, ideas, tools and photos.
I never paid much attention to the technique because I like shooting close-up and macro w/o tripod. I also like to use bokeh to accentuate certain parts of a product, flower, or other object/subject. However, for watch photography I need to go a step further in my technique.
When I saw Michael Erlewine's photos I experienced a mindshift. He is such a great source of inspiration. I am sure I will never achieve his mastery level, but I do hope to improve my photography with this technique.
The basic technique appears to be simple: focus on various parts of the object, align photos, blend photos. Adobe Photoshop offers “auto functionality”: open photos as layers, select all layers, auto-align, auto-blend, flatten image and save. Michael’s favorite program is ZereneStacker. But I decided to increase my shooting proficiency before looking at other software. Using a tripod helps, but could be avoided. When using a tripod, aperture priority mode with ISO 100 can be preselected.
Let me share my initial experiences, based on some photos (yours could be different). Most photos are based on 20-30 shots.
1. Planning is essential. While it is not necessary to shoot 200 images, it is important to know the DoF and carefully and methodologically select focus areas. I did not do that in this photo. You will see some blurred areas that should not be blurred.
This is relatively easy. Not a lot of curves, so less shots:
2. Watches are, like drops, trickier because of the curves. You will notice some inconsistencies when you zoom in:
3. There is no need to get everything in focus! I like these ones although I should have made a few more photos of the crown:
This one has too many flowers in focus. I don't like that.
Feel free to add your own thoughts, ideas, tools and photos.