A practical Guide to Focus Stacking in Landscape Photography

In this video tutorial I show you the benefits of Focus Stacking in Landscape Photography, how to apply it in the field and how to blend multiple photos for optimal sharpness during post processing in Photoshop.

Normally using a small aperture (larg f-stop) can increase the depth of field in an image, but an optical effect called diffraction will harm the overall sharpness of the image. Focus stacking is a solution where multiple photos with medium apertures are taken and later combined for best sharpness throughout the frame.

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[Rusiputki]

Ah finally somebody to release the cheat sheets. I've been using software that overlays the images on top of each other. Didn't know you can manually paint brush the parts you want. Now I can focus stack landscapes without worrying about the wind blowing and the grass moving.

[rasicaphoto]

A rare practical aspect for focus stacking ... great video Michael...

[Snowcatnz]

Excellent tutorial. I have never used focus stacking, I think I might have to try it out and see how I get on. Thanks for your time Michael!!

[lesladbrook]

Loved your tutorial Michael, very helpful indeed, thank you.

[martinroeeidhammer]

Exelent tutorial. I have never used focus stacking, but I will definatelytry out this technique. Thanks!

[CarlosAlberto-fubk]

I only heard of photostacking a few days ago. I'm glad I came across your channel first. Very informative and great examples, I'm going to have to check out the rest of your channel. Subscribed and hoping to see more!

[lvrego]

This was very informative, thanks! I was wanting to try focus stacking for a while now, but I guess I lacked encouragement to try, but now when I saw how it's actually done I'm ready to try. Thanks again!

[iangorner]

Thanks for theses mini tutorials. I have just discovered your channel and am looking forward to seeing more. Beautiful work.

[GarethDanks]

Amazing job man. Never tried this technique. I didn’t realise there was so much to it..! 😊👍🏻

[RScottNH]

Just found your channel. Wonderful images and tutorials.

[MsBlueeyes]

Thanks Michael great informative interesting

[Lou-lilb]

How many focal points would you typically use if you had foreground elements that are near the minimum focus distance of your lens/camera? For example, foliage 10 inches from the front of your lens with mountains in the background? I've had a lot of trouble focus stacking landscapes like this. Especially where the foreground drops off immediately to the mid ground like you mentioned. I would typically have less than 10 focus points, and be stopped down quite a bit (f/13-16), but still have problems with the blending (using Helicon Focus). Wondering if I just need more focus points.

[peterleibundgut]

Thanks a lot for the very informative tutorial.
Two questions:
Have you tried out the focus stack function on the R5?
How do you manage focus breathing on the lens?
Looking forward to more tutorials.
Greetings from the foothills of Mt. Fuji

[fabianstrasser]

Nice and practical video that explains your way to increase overall sharpness for larger prints.
My way to achieve ultimative resolution is panorama photography of a wider landscape scene with an 70-200 lens but of course you won't get the same perspective with a image captured with a telephoto lens...
*thumbsup*

[HaenZky]

Hi Michael, great Video! What is the benefit to zoom in before focusing, when in live view? Thanks a lot

[Luigi]

Good strategy in this tutorials, thank you.

[sarajitsil]

Hello Michael,

Your video is awesome. I personally like your technique and appreciate how you mix it with your aesthetics to create such stunningly fantastic photographs.

Thanks for sharing.

Regards
Sarajit
India

[sebastianruhl]

Ich kommentiere eigentlich nicht, aber das Video ist sensationell! Vielen Dank, super!

[zoe]

At 3:17 of the video when you were focusing on the background, you reduced the exposure of the last shot, yet when you masked in the background cliff it was as light as the foreground cliffs. How did that happen? I'm afraid I am confused. Could you please explain. Thanks.

[MrBadwan]

NICE NICE NICE ++ I have new Photography master now i like your way how you give the explanation as every body hope from you looking forward to see and watch full tutorial