Nick, You are gifted teacher who can present information in a clear and concise way for people to learn easily. I miss your tutorials and hope all is well. John
PERFECT video for anyone just wanting to bust this out and make it happen. The juice sprays right at 4:13 if anyone just want to dive right in. Thanks Nick!
As a young, emerging photographer I always wanted to learn how to focus stack my images, but was always overwhelmed with the thought of it being to complex.. today I eventually ventured into it and found your video. What a gem! Clear, concise, helpful … thank you so much! That one small thing has made such a change to my image making already ! 🙌 I’ve subbed 📸 thank again!!
When a stack shows obvious focus breathing after the Auto-Align step, and you have Content Aware Fill checked, PS will be filling in the edges from a different, and likely out-of-focus, frame. It pays to closely inspect the edges of the final stack for sharpness, and crop as needed. In many cases, if you select the one frame showing the most breathing (with the widest empty border), and the visibility of the other frames in the stack off, the Image, Trim menu will eliminate this edge problem and give you the exact crop.
I always encounter blurry edges around the photo after focus stacking with PS. Do you simply just crop it out or are you explaining a method to eliminate it instead? (Also, if I were to just crop a little on each side will this affect m 35mm (full frame) aspect ratio when it comes to printing?)
@@lancebryson9013 In PS, I usually have only the bottom layer with visibility turned on (the eye icon on the layer). This will cause a white area around the image to show if focus breathing happens. (But for some lenses, focus breathing is reversed, so just the top layer made visible.) The TRIM command affects the whole stack so removes the edge blur. (And by-the-way, the Helicon Focus software does this automatically.) If you just want to use the crop tool to remove the edge blur, and also maintain the correct aspect ration, simply set the crop tool preset according to your image format.
Great tutorial Nick, thanks. For anyone that is a Canon R5 or R6 owner use the Focus stacking tool, works amazing. It shoots the images so quickly you can focus stack and hand hold at same time. Doesn't seem to matter what settings you use either, camera just knows how many to take and where to focus for each image. Never seen it work so well on any camera until now.
Been focus stacking using Photoshop for years so assumed I had it nailed. Then you threw in the tip about duplicating the layers as a back-up. Boom! I never thought of that. Thank you Nick. A valuable lesson.
I was introduced to focus stacking through macro photography, using Zerene Stacker, a necessity when stacking dozens to hundreds of subs (or it’s counterpart Helicon). However I’ve only lately started applying focus stacking to landscapes when necessary, and your tutorial stands out from those I’ve viewed for all the reasons cited by those who have commented. I should have started here, and I know better:-).
As a past Darktable user, and new user to the most recent Adobe suite, thank you for the very informative video. I have been a subscriber for some time now but have never heard of your golf course superintendent background. My father was one of the Treasurers of the National Golf Course Superintendent's Association a long time ago, and in the business for more than 4 decades. He got me started in photography at a very early age, and to see the commonalities is really cool. Thank you for your insight and wisdom...you have made me a better photographer by your efforts!
Hi Nick: I just discovered your teaching videos on photo stacking. Thanks for making it clear and understandable for us Photoshop newbies. I have listened to hundreds of UA-cam videos and your's is one of the best.
Great tutorial. I like they idea of putting the images in a separate file if the blend goes wrong, unfortunately it went okay. I would love to see a video/tutorial on how you would correct it with your copied folder if it did go wrong.
Excellent tutorial. Thank you. I was trying to photo stack my images in Lightroom rather than Photoshop and couldn't work out why they weren't merging. However, success in Photoshop after following your tutorial. PS : I am a fan if the Great Courses.
I just wanted to say a quick thank you. This video helped me so much and I've finally managed to compose my first focus stacked image. I am so stoked right now! Thanks again!
Nick, this JUST came up a coupke weeks ago. I was shooting blue ice formations at the Mackinac Bridge, and realized having the bridge in the background would look better in a focud stack, but....I had absolutely no idea hoe to do it. Luckily, I realized that I could try doing it if I shot the needed frames, so now, as effing sime as this is (how humiliating fot me!( Im going to go back to my desk, fire those up, stack em, and see how it comes out. Im still trying desperately to learn some of these tricks but its very hard sometimes. Thank you!!
Wow, I'm glad this video came up in my suggested videos (although I've been subscribed for a while). Focus stacking is so easy - I never did it because I did not know how to but after this why wouldn't I do it. Thanks Nick!
I was going through your Essential Photoshop practice files where we go through focus stacking and then this video showed up. Both are very well done. Thanks!
History Nerd=Awesomeness. Loved the folder for copy idea. I'll road test your instructions. Loved the Alabama Hills image. Journeyed the 44 miles there recently and dang there were so many people out there! Such a buzz kill. We did find solitude on Tuttle Creek Road, thankfully. Lack of people is one of the best parts of the East Side.
Hi Nick, as always, very concise and to the point tutorial. I typically try not to be one of those people that tries to teach others in the comments, however, in this case I think it would have been helpful to add a short segment on how to manually focus stack images if Photoshop doesn't do a "perfect" job. I'd say probably 95% of the time Photoshop nails it and the image comes out perfect. However, that 5% of the time it does weird stuff to the image and it doesn't look right so you have to go in and manually focus stack the images.
Thank you Nick, I ran into Ben out at Death Valley last weekend with him doing one of his shots with his 8X10 and seeing and being a fan of his and yours, I decided for this trip to set up more of my shots for processing with Focus stacking, this video came at teh perfect time and plan to later today start the process of focus stackin in order to get my shot from Dante and Badwater so much better. Thank you and Ben is one hell of a nice guy and true master on his Large Format. Thanks again
Fantastic video! I’ve always found this confusing and could never really get it right. Your step by step directions and tip to make copies prior to running the process in Photoshop was a huge help. Thank you for teaching us how it’s done!
I've focus stacked several images in PS without problems, but here lately things have started going bad. Out of focus areas next to sharp areas and weird artifacts. Don't know if this from the new camera and lens combo or subject. Still trying to get a handle on the shallower depth of field on a full frame. Snow covered rocks in a moving stream. It would be a great help if you could have shown an example of one that didn't go so well. Anyway thanks for all of the videos and tutorials.
Thank you Nick for sharing. I'd like that Lightroom being able to do that like we can do it for combining different pictures with a different exposure and get a HDR result.
Was so stoked about this because it's so straightforward and well explained and you hinted at what to do if the auto blend doesn't work and you have to manually fix it. But then you never went there. :( Another video hopefully? All the other ones I've seen here aren't that great. At all.
Thanks Nick - the fog has lifted for this Grandma! I will now give this a go as previously I was in a state of muddle but after watching this I think I can do it!
You are a very good communication Nick... many thanks for that. I'm going to have to retrace every landscape shot I've ever done now!! Might have to get a new camera for the occasion!!
Thanks Nick! This is unlike I've ever seen before and such a simple way to focus stack. I can't wait till the day that all of this will just happen right in camera. im sure its coming sooner then later.
Do you always shoot at the same aperture, or do you change it based on what your trying to take a picture of? Also which one is best for focus stacking?
Nick- great video. In order to keep file size down I will make a “snapshot” in the history so that I do not need to double my working file size. If the stack doesn’t work I can go back to that reference point.
I always learn something new ... thank you. Today, I learned about using the folders in Photoshop. I love using Nikon’s touch screen shutter release for landscape photo stacking and their “focus shift shooting” mode for automated shooting when doing macro photography. The toolkit is always improving!
You answered a key question for me in regards to why a certain number of images go into any given focus stack. Many thanks for taking the time to put this info together. Top shelf as always 🤘
Fantastic video!! I have watched a few new trying to learn how to do this and yours was by far the easiest to follow. I've subscribed and Im off to watch more from you. Thank you!
Your videos have been invaluable for my reintroduction into landscape photography and editing. Picked up a wacom (where's it been all my life!?) and started applying more advanced luminosity masks adjustments and dodging/burning techniques. Now I'm taking focus stacking to the field. My confidence post-shoot has been roaring lately and the time in the digital darkroom is so enjoyable. Keep up the great work!
I am completely new to your channel - Yesterday I completed a hike during which I tripoded 3 focusly different images, but I had not blended for some time and forgot - thank you for sharing - I have just subscribed and liked.
Hey man. Thanks again for the advice on my photo that I shared on your fb page. I totally knew where I had went wrong but I needed to here it from someone who’s work I admire and respect artistically.
Nick,
You are gifted teacher who can present information in a clear and concise way for people to learn easily. I miss your tutorials and hope all is well. John
Bro, english is not my first language and you speak so easy to understand. I loved this tutorial, you ROCK!
Thanks a lot Nick! You simplified the the process "Focus Stacking"!!
This is by far the best, most comprehensive, and simplest tutorial of the countless focus stacking videos out there. Bless you.
First time i tried to focus stack was today...got lost watching other videos and yours nailed it! I appreciate the help! Great photos by the way!
PERFECT video for anyone just wanting to bust this out and make it happen. The juice sprays right at 4:13 if anyone just want to dive right in. Thanks Nick!
This should be the model for all tutorials. Thank you, Nick!
You are very welcome. I am glad you found the tutorial helpful!
As a young, emerging photographer I always wanted to learn how to focus stack my images, but was always overwhelmed with the thought of it being to complex.. today I eventually ventured into it and found your video. What a gem!
Clear, concise, helpful … thank you so much! That one small thing has made such a change to my image making already ! 🙌
I’ve subbed 📸 thank again!!
Figured it was time for me to learn how to do this. Thanks for the helpful tutorial, Nick!! :D
When a stack shows obvious focus breathing after the Auto-Align step, and you have Content Aware Fill checked, PS will be filling in the edges from a different, and likely out-of-focus, frame. It pays to closely inspect the edges of the final stack for sharpness, and crop as needed. In many cases, if you select the one frame showing the most breathing (with the widest empty border), and the visibility of the other frames in the stack off, the Image, Trim menu will eliminate this edge problem and give you the exact crop.
I always encounter blurry edges around the photo after focus stacking with PS. Do you simply just crop it out or are you explaining a method to eliminate it instead? (Also, if I were to just crop a little on each side will this affect m 35mm (full frame) aspect ratio when it comes to printing?)
@@lancebryson9013 In PS, I usually have only the bottom layer with visibility turned on (the eye icon on the layer). This will cause a white area around the image to show if focus breathing happens. (But for some lenses, focus breathing is reversed, so just the top layer made visible.) The TRIM command affects the whole stack so removes the edge blur. (And by-the-way, the Helicon Focus software does this automatically.) If you just want to use the crop tool to remove the edge blur, and also maintain the correct aspect ration, simply set the crop tool preset according to your image format.
66feet a
Great tutorial Nick, thanks. For anyone that is a Canon R5 or R6 owner use the Focus stacking tool, works amazing. It shoots the images so quickly you can focus stack and hand hold at same time. Doesn't seem to matter what settings you use either, camera just knows how many to take and where to focus for each image. Never seen it work so well on any camera until now.
Yes, Canon cameras focus stack very well. Too bad the Canon cameras don't do the final process in camera!
Been focus stacking using Photoshop for years so assumed I had it nailed. Then you threw in the tip about duplicating the layers as a back-up. Boom! I never thought of that. Thank you Nick. A valuable lesson.
I was introduced to focus stacking through macro photography, using Zerene Stacker, a necessity when stacking dozens to hundreds of subs (or it’s counterpart Helicon). However I’ve only lately started applying focus stacking to landscapes when necessary, and your tutorial stands out from those I’ve viewed for all the reasons cited by those who have commented. I should have started here, and I know better:-).
As a past Darktable user, and new user to the most recent Adobe suite, thank you for the very informative video. I have been a subscriber for some time now but have never heard of your golf course superintendent background. My father was one of the Treasurers of the National Golf Course Superintendent's Association a long time ago, and in the business for more than 4 decades. He got me started in photography at a very early age, and to see the commonalities is really cool. Thank you for your insight and wisdom...you have made me a better photographer by your efforts!
Hi Nick: I just discovered your teaching videos on photo stacking. Thanks for making it clear and understandable for us Photoshop newbies. I have listened to hundreds of UA-cam videos and your's is one of the best.
Great tutorial. I like they idea of putting the images in a separate file if the blend goes wrong, unfortunately it went okay. I would love to see a video/tutorial on how you would correct it with your copied folder if it did go wrong.
This tutorial is superb, now I'm focus stacking like a pro. Thanks Nick.
Amazing lesson!! thank you - by far one of the best Photoshop videos
Yes, still using in 2024!
What a fine video that breaks down each stone i this complicated task.
Excellent tutorial. Thank you. I was trying to photo stack my images in Lightroom rather than Photoshop and couldn't work out why they weren't merging. However, success in Photoshop after following your tutorial. PS : I am a fan if the Great Courses.
I just wanted to say a quick thank you. This video helped me so much and I've finally managed to compose my first focus stacked image. I am so stoked right now! Thanks again!
Wow! I followed along with you to make my first focus stack. Knocked my socks off! Thanks!
The best stacking info online-thanks Nick
Focus stacking made easy. Thanks Nick
Good tip about copying images into a group. Too often I get a blob or smear when I auto blend.
Thank you.. focus stacking replicates the way we see nature!
Nick, this JUST came up a coupke weeks ago. I was shooting blue ice formations at the Mackinac Bridge, and realized having the bridge in the background would look better in a focud stack, but....I had absolutely no idea hoe to do it. Luckily, I realized that I could try doing it if I shot the needed frames, so now, as effing sime as this is (how humiliating fot me!( Im going to go back to my desk, fire those up, stack em, and see how it comes out. Im still trying desperately to learn some of these tricks but its very hard sometimes. Thank you!!
Wow, I'm glad this video came up in my suggested videos (although I've been subscribed for a while). Focus stacking is so easy - I never did it because I did not know how to but after this why wouldn't I do it. Thanks Nick!
I was going through your Essential Photoshop practice files where we go through focus stacking and then this video showed up. Both are very well done. Thanks!
Thank you Nick! I think this knowledge will make the biggest difference in my photos.
Great video. Never considered photo stacking before, looking forward to trying it out.
Great content man, you broke it down really simple and once I get off work tonight I shall try it out.
Absolutely stellar explanation. Comprehensive although easy to the ear.
History Nerd=Awesomeness. Loved the folder for copy idea. I'll road test your instructions. Loved the Alabama Hills image. Journeyed the 44 miles there recently and dang there were so many people out there! Such a buzz kill. We did find solitude on Tuttle Creek Road, thankfully. Lack of people is one of the best parts of the East Side.
Hi Nick, as always, very concise and to the point tutorial. I typically try not to be one of those people that tries to teach others in the comments, however, in this case I think it would have been helpful to add a short segment on how to manually focus stack images if Photoshop doesn't do a "perfect" job. I'd say probably 95% of the time Photoshop nails it and the image comes out perfect. However, that 5% of the time it does weird stuff to the image and it doesn't look right so you have to go in and manually focus stack the images.
That's a bloody awesome video, presented with great articulation. Many thanks!
Well explained, well presented. Great video. Just have to go take a few photos .
Best video that I have seen about focus stacking! This is must-see post.
I appreciate that thank you
Thank you Nick, I ran into Ben out at Death Valley last weekend with him doing one of his shots with his 8X10 and seeing and being a fan of his and yours, I decided for this trip to set up more of my shots for processing with Focus stacking, this video came at teh perfect time and plan to later today start the process of focus stackin in order to get my shot from Dante and Badwater so much better. Thank you and Ben is one hell of a nice guy and true master on his Large Format. Thanks again
Thank you! A great tutorial and one of the best and most comprehensive I have seen on the subject.
Fantastic video! I’ve always found this confusing and could never really get it right. Your step by step directions and tip to make copies prior to running the process in Photoshop was a huge help. Thank you for teaching us how it’s done!
This was no exaggeration. This is literally the first photoshop video you should watch!
I've focus stacked several images in PS without problems, but here lately things have started going bad. Out of focus areas next to sharp areas and weird artifacts. Don't know if this from the new camera and lens combo or subject. Still trying to get a handle on the shallower depth of field on a full frame. Snow covered rocks in a moving stream. It would be a great help if you could have shown an example of one that didn't go so well. Anyway thanks for all of the videos and tutorials.
Thanks for the followable tutorial. I'm just learning PS, but have wondered how to perfect sharpness in my images. Thanks so much!
Thank you Nick for sharing. I'd like that Lightroom being able to do that like we can do it for combining different pictures with a different exposure and get a HDR result.
Excelent tutorial. I shall certainly watch more.
Ben Horne has become the “reference” for everyone and everything!!! Ha, loved it!!!
Great information and so well-explained. Thanks for sharing!
Nice easy how to
Thanks again for these videos and some short cuts.
Brilliantly articulated. Many thanks
Got to say Nick you explain things so well - really easy to follow - defo saved this vlog to my favs for future reference...
Thanks!
Thank you!
Awesome trick this will improve my photography
Thank you this was so helpful! Now I'm not so scared to try it!
Thank you so much you just popped my layering cherry 🤣 and you made it so easy I can't believe it 😃 thanks a million for you ace video!!
Such a great video, and such a powerful process for creating amazing images! Thank you!
You really made it easy to understand, well done and thank you for the tuturial Nick!
Thanks Nick great tutorial
Thanks Nick.............this really HELPED
Thanks for the great easy to understand explanation
Excellent presentation!
Was so stoked about this because it's so straightforward and well explained and you hinted at what to do if the auto blend doesn't work and you have to manually fix it. But then you never went there. :(
Another video hopefully? All the other ones I've seen here aren't that great. At all.
Thanks Nick - the fog has lifted for this Grandma! I will now give this a go as previously I was in a state of muddle but after watching this I think I can do it!
You are a very good communication Nick... many thanks for that. I'm going to have to retrace every landscape shot I've ever done now!! Might have to get a new camera for the occasion!!
Thanks Nick! This is unlike I've ever seen before and such a simple way to focus stack. I can't wait till the day that all of this will just happen right in camera. im sure its coming sooner then later.
Thanks Nick for this very clear explanation. As you say, “why wouldn’t you do it!”. 👍
That was very interesting! I'll try it very soon!
Great tutorial! Finally got it!
Do you always shoot at the same aperture, or do you change it based on what your trying to take a picture of? Also which one is best for focus stacking?
Great video I never realized focus stacking was so easy.
Wow! Amazing video and instruction. My first try was very good! TY
Nick- great video. In order to keep file size down I will make a “snapshot” in the history so that I do not need to double my working file size. If the stack doesn’t work I can go back to that reference point.
Thanks Nick. You make it easy!
I always learn something new ... thank you. Today, I learned about using the folders in Photoshop. I love using Nikon’s touch screen shutter release for landscape photo stacking and their “focus shift shooting” mode for automated shooting when doing macro photography. The toolkit is always improving!
Great video Nick, I see you are a member of the fab 4
Keep up the good work
You answered a key question for me in regards to why a certain number of images go into any given focus stack. Many thanks for taking the time to put this info together. Top shelf as always 🤘
Fantastic video!! I have watched a few new trying to learn how to do this and yours was by far the easiest to follow. I've subscribed and Im off to watch more from you. Thank you!
can't wait to try it great video
This was a HUGE help Nick. I love your teaching style. Thank you for all you do.
Thank you for another wonderful video!
Great tutorial Nick. Thanks.. keep 'em comin'
Thank you for making it easy!!!
Excellent thanks
Excellent job Nick, thanks a lot.
Thank you very much for the video.. With this information I will definitely try it.
Thanks Nick 👍
Nick - many thanks - great tutorial
thanks so much Nick for publishing this on Focus Stacking! It is such an needed remedy for so many contrasting frames, albeit all frames!
Thank you for sharing, showing, and explaining this simple and easy process!!
Your videos have been invaluable for my reintroduction into landscape photography and editing. Picked up a wacom (where's it been all my life!?) and started applying more advanced luminosity masks adjustments and dodging/burning techniques. Now I'm taking focus stacking to the field. My confidence post-shoot has been roaring lately and the time in the digital darkroom is so enjoyable. Keep up the great work!
THANK YOU! Nice Simple to the point + EXCELLENT AUDIO!
Great Video. Very Informative. Thanks!!
I am completely new to your channel - Yesterday I completed a hike during which I tripoded 3 focusly different images, but I had not blended for some time and forgot - thank you for sharing - I have just subscribed and liked.
Thank you very much for this video! 👏🏼
Thank you for your help Nick ..excellent..x
Fantastic. I had no idea about auto-blend. Game-changer!
You're awesome! this video helps me so much! thank you for sharing!
Hey man. Thanks again for the advice on my photo that I shared on your fb page.
I totally knew where I had went wrong but I needed to here it from someone who’s work I admire and respect artistically.
thank you, awesome video!