I noticed a big interest to the focus stacking topic. I will explain a post production part in Photoshop CS5 more detailed. You can read and see the video of a shooting part on Alex’s blog Focus stacking technique using Adobe Photoshop CS5
So, we have a sequence of images: 5, 8, 12. I mean, as many as we need. I have 11 images.
Step 1.
Select the sequence of the photos in Bridge CS5:
Images selection for focus stacking
Step 2.
Tools/Photoshop/Photomerge:
Jewelry photography post production, photomerge
- Layout – auto
- Uncheck “Blend Images Together”
- Click “OK”
Photomerge settings. Focus stacking in Photoshop CS5
Step 3.
Select all Layers in Photoshop CS5:
Select all layers in Photoshop CS5
Edit/Auto-Blend Layers… with default settings:
Auto blend layers. Focus stacking in Photoshop CS5
Auto blend settings. Jewelry retouching.
You will see a Layers palette similar to this:
Layers after focus stacking
Step 4.
To finish focus stacking go to Layer/Flatten Image:
Flatten image
Step 5.
Save image.
Done!
Now we are ready to retouch our image. How to retouch jewelry, you will see in our upcoming Ebook. We are working on the Ebook right now. So you will see it very soon!
Good luck! Genia:-)
Nothing is fun until you’re good at it.
~Amy Chua
Hmm.. I’d love to hear about your new ebook on jewelry retouching. Can I register somewhere to be notified when you publish it?
Thanks!
Yes, Miquel,
you can register here http://www.akelstudio.com/index.php/component/user/?task=register to get a notification or subscribe to my RSS.
Thank you!
Please send me info on the new ebook.. Thanks I do photograph jewelry..
Thank you to share your experience. You give a lot of inspiration. I like read your blogg. Thanks.
Thank you, Stanislaw:-)
nice and easy; thanks.
What is the purpose of focus stacking? Also what is the main difference in the 11 pictures taken?
Never mind I am reading the actual bog link above on the Technique! Thanks for sharing.
I can’t wait to try this technique. Thanks for the clear tutorial.
I am looking at selling some of my jewelry on Ebay so this will come in handy. Thanks for posting!
Nice tutorial, I have a question though. With photomerge does that take into account the alignment of the pictures? I’m just a bit weary of the slight movements of my camera…which even a sturdy tripod and remote can’t fix. Although it’s small, I like to keep my work perfect..otherwise great work!
Using Photoshop CS5 for focus-stacking images I get the “Out of RAM memory” window coming up at the “Auto-Blend layers” step if I have more than about five 4MB images in the lineup. My PC has the maximum amount of RAM memory
for a 32bit machine so I have come to the conclusion that when the “Auto-Blend layers” step kicks in a MASSIVE
amount of RAM memory is required.
I would be very grateful if someone could tell me if it is true that one needs a 64bit PC with about 16GB of RAM
to be able to focus stack more than four or five images in Photoshop CS5 at the “Auto-Blend layers” step.
PS. My PC is a MEDION 32 bit machine running Windows 7 Home Premium with an Intel i3 core processor running at
2.95GHz. It has 4GB of RAM memory.
I had tried this several times from other sources, but it didn’t work. Your explanation was excellent and the step by step very clear. Written tuts and step by step with pictures is definitely the way to go for me. Thanks so much.
Nice ring, i could eat it! Really good technique, just tried it and success!
Love your work!
Is your Ebook available yet? If so, how do I buy it?
Thanks!
Wayne
For John Taylor: Hi I use windows 7 64bit on my laptop that has 8gb of ram. Photoshop does use loads of ram but with my setup I just manage to process about 11 Tiff images that are 60mb each. Ive since started using software called Zerene stacker that manages more images. However both software only seem to use a max of 6 gb before crashing. Perhaps my config prevents more. Either way, the upgrade to 64bit would benefit you with this software. Good luck
Genia,
Thanks for this great information!
Dear Sir / Madam,
I m graphics editor and want to buy your e-book about jewellery retouching. How can I buy it? What is the price of it? Kindly inform.
Regards , Hridoy
Dear, Hridoy!
We are working on a Jewelry book. It will include a retouching part also. Now we have available this e-book http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/new-e-videobook-diy-solutions-for-jewelry-photography/. There is a small part of retouching.
Dear Genia Madam,
Many thanks for your reply. But one thing I would like to inform you respectfully
that the link you have provided ( http://www.akelstudio.com/blog/new-e-videobook-diy-solutions-for-jewelry-photography/ ),when clicked showing (http://www.photigy.com/new-e-videobook-diy-solutions-for-jewelry-photography/,within a message “Not Found Sorry, but you are looking for something that isn’t here”). I don’t know it is my browser problem or not. Anyway please help me to get the solution. Can I register somewhere, so that I will be notified, when you publish the “Jewellery Retouching E-book”?
Kindly reply
Greets, Hridoy (listening you)
Thank you, Hridoy. The link is fixed.
The Jewelry book is still in plan. You cam register at http://www.photigy.com, and we will notify you when it is published.