I think I first heard about focus stacking a couple of years ago. A quick Google led me to believe that it was only done using dead insects and at that point, my interest waned. Earlier this year, I checked again and found one photographer using hand-held on live bugs, so I thought I would give it a whirl.
The butterfly shown above and below was the perfect subject for one of my first successful attempts. The sun had disappeared behind a cloud and he had no interest in leaving his grass flower head. Changing the aperture to f/8.0 to create an out of focus background, I took several images focused on his eye, half-way up the front of his wing, top of the wing, half-way down the back, his bottom, half-way along his body and in the very centre. Selecting the best set later in Lightroom, these were then stacked in Photoshop using masks. (Each mask had to be very accurate, using a small brush to avoid blurring two different layers). The resulting single image was then processed as normal.
I have since used the method on other butterflies and moths and can’t wait to try it again next year.
Sid
28 Oct 2020Butterflies ❤️
Stunning, fascinating!
Love your shots 😊
Have a great Wednesday!
Sid
Zooey
28 Oct 2020You have a great Wednesday too my friend! I have enough butterflies to keep you going through the winter 🙂