9th January - Members Night Focus Stacking

​It was a cold evening for our first meeting of 2025 and Colin Livingstone led a session about photographing and focus stacking. Focus stacking is a technique designed to achieve a deep depth of field by blending, or stacking, a number of images together. Each stacked shot is focused on a different spot, so the combined depth of field is deeper than the depth of field produced by any of the individual images. The combined result is a much sharper image throughout. The technique can be used in many genres of photography, from landscape to macro photography and optimal microscopy. The number of images stacked can vary from 2 or 3 to, quite literally, hundreds. It's essential to use a tripod for photo stacking.  

​Colin had set up 2 scenes, illuminated by LED lights, which he used to demonstrate the technique. Members were given the opportunity to try it out using their own cameras.

​The next step is to stack the images using appropriate software. Using a projector and screen, Colin showed us how he stacks his images on Photoshop. It's a technique which requires some know-how and perseverance but is not too difficult to learn and practice. Although Colin uses Photoshop, other software packages, such as Affinity Photo and Luminar Neo, can be used. 
 
The final step was to clear the frost off our cars and a number of us headed off to the pub for the first drinks of the New Year together.
 
Ray Barnes
Programme Secretary