Keratosis Pilarist Tattoo

Focus Stacking: First approximation

The technique known as "Focus Stacking" is to combine multiple images with different focus on a single image. This is done in general May achieve depth of field DOF.
The first practical application of this technique is in macros where the DOF is very limited and it is not advisable to take the opening beyond F11 or F16 to get into trouble no diffraction. Landscapes can also be used to obtain an image with an opening hyperfocal that this would not be possible.

Among several programs that focus stacking mention the 3 most popular: Helicon Focus

(commercial, no trial)
CombineZM (freeware)
Tufuse (freeware)

The first two and CombineZM Helicon Focus are the most popular and I think give the best results.

to focus Workflow stacking is quite simple:

- Assemble tripod and others in the most stable possible camera in manual focus. (Yes or yes)
- To focus on what the more distant in the photo (in a landscape at infinity)
- Remove photo
- Move the focus a tad forward trying to overlap the areas in focus between photo and photo.
- Remove photo, repeat ...

acceptable results in general it takes 10 or 12 photos and very good results 20 to 30 photos. I have seen wonderful results with about 24 or 25 pictures so we can calculate the number of photos to know how to go by moving the focus.
have a lens with a wide focus ring travel helps a lot.

Once the photos taken general it is easy to assemble the stack of focus on any of the programs. Helicon Focus is considerably more friendly interface for your CombineZM but they are very evenly matched final.

This technique is probably the great secret of many who take macros with incredible DOFs, it is necessary that the subject does not move at all so yeah.

Example:

This is the first picture of a stack of 10 photos to get an idea of \u200b\u200bwhat was the original DOF in each frame:
























This is the result with Helicon Focus

























This is the result with
CombineZM





























Despite having used only 10 photos are quite acceptable results, both as CombineZM Helicon Focus give similar results in my opinion. I guess with the result 20o 30 photos end could have been even better.

Next Steps: Try the same but with a landscape.