Max Depth Of Field

Stacking Ghosts
Q I've tried macro image-stacking software repeatedly, but have had terrible luck with it. When I change focus points, the image size changes slightly. After enough of these resizings, the composition has changed considerably. When I try to blend the images together, either in Helicon Focus or Photoshop, I get a really bad image with lots of ghosting effects. I'm shooting on a tripod and using the Canon 100mm ƒ/2.8 macro lens. When shooting, I'm only adjusting the focus ring on the lens, with no other movements.
J. Rusk
Via email

A Precision matters when seeking unlimited depth of field. The basic idea is to increase the overall sharpness of a photograph by capturing several images with overlapping areas of focus, then compositing the images into a single image in software that retains only the sharp elements of each capture. You can use the technique for any unmoving subject, from landscapes to high-magnification snowflakes. Note that even the slightest amount of movement will make the process impossible, so whenever possible, I work in the still of the morning and bring macro subjects into a sheltered area or the studio.

For several years, I've been a big fan of using Helicon Focus (www.heliconsoft.com), Photoshop CS5 and its Blending Modes (www.adobe.com) and Zerene Stacker (www.zerenesystems.com), but I'm here to tell you that not every attempt will work. Sometimes one program will do a better job than the others on a particular set of captures, so if one fails, I'll try compositing again with another. My favorite at the moment is Zerene Stacker, which seems to offer the best results with the work I do. But all of the software programs are pretty simple to use and remarkably consistent, so the best approach is to improve the captures you're providing to them. Here are some tips that might help you achieve a better success rate.

Composition Counts. If a foreground object is prominent in your composition (such as a single flower larger than those at the back of the group), be aware that the object will "bloom" larger as it's thrown out of focus when the photographer moves the focus past it. The out-of-focus foreground object may then obstruct elements of the background. Blooming is a significant cause of the ghosting you mention. Sometimes it's just not possible to properly render particularly complex compositions with expanded depth-of-field techniques. In macro compositions, it sometimes helps to pull back on the magnification a bit to give some room for cropping the final composite to eliminate some edges that might not line up, a problem that shows up more often in the CS5 version.

Adjusting The Focus. As you note, working from a tripod is imperative when attempting expanded depth-of-field techniques. Set your focus to manual. Choose an ƒ-stop that maximizes lens sharpness (usually ƒ/8 or ƒ/11). Frame the image, then focus on the front elements of the composition and take your first capture. Adjust the focus slightly to bring the next "slice" of the image into sharp detail, overlapping about 30% with the area of focus in the first capture. I generally use more images than may be necessary (more overlap) to make the transitions less severe between each slice of focus. Continue to work through the composition until you've covered everything you want to render in sharp focus. Then do it again so you have at least two sets of images to work with later at the computer.

Moving The Camera. For macro photography, I use the Canon MP-E 65mm macro, Canon 100mm macro and Canon 180mm macro lenses. Especially with macro work, simply adjusting the lens focus incrementally isn't usually the answer because it's just not precise enough. I often work with a macro focusing rail that moves the camera/lens precisely in measurable, incremental amounts to capture the slices of sharp focus.

Moving The Subject. For truly high-magnification photographs of very small subjects, such as butterfly wing scales, crystals and snowflakes, I put the subject on a glass slide on a movable stage, mount the camera above it on a copy stand, and light it from above and below with LED lights and/or flashes. I view the composition on my laptop computer using Canon's Live View feature. The focus adjustments are made by moving the stage in minute increments, closer to or farther away from the fixed camera/lens. The camera is fired from the computer.

Film Scanners And The Year Of The Lion
Q A few years ago, I contacted you regarding scanners for 6x7 and 35mm images. At the time, you recommended the Nikon 9000 ED and 5000 ED Super Coolscans. I delayed on the purchase in the hopes the next-generation scanner would give more resolution; when I finally pursued the purchase, I found the Nikons were no longer manufactured. Any new recommendations?
J. Murtha
Via email

A There are lots of reasons to delay editing and scanning old slides, chief among them being that it's much more fun to be outdoors taking new photographs! But purchasing a good film scanner is easy and inexpensive.

A few good current options are the Plustek OpticFilm 7400 at about $250, the Plustek 7600i SE at about $300 and the Plustek 7600i Ai at about $400 (plustek.com). Another set of film scanners comes from Pacific Image, including a new one for 120 film up to 6x12cm (www.scanace.com). Flatbed scanners give a pretty good scan, but with less dynamic range than a film scanner. If you purchase a flatbed scanner for film scanning, be sure it has a designated attachment for film scanning, a high dynamic range and a high native resolution. Apple computer users who upgrade to Lion (OS 10.7) no longer will be able to use Nikon Scan 4 software with Coolscan scanners. While I deplore Nikon's lack of continuing support for its products, some third-party options have even stronger capabilities, like SilverFast 8 (www.silverfast.com) and VueScan (www.hamrick.com).

Choosing B&W Print Media
Q I had a darkroom back in the '50s and '60s, but I'm just now getting serious about digital black-and-white photos. What photo papers generally produce the best black-and-white/toned prints?
D. Doughman
Via email

A
Surface texture, weight (thickness) and color are the most important factors when choosing an inkjet paper for black-and-white printing. The toning is a function of the imaging software and the printer capability. Just as in the darkroom, the choices you make will offer a variety of creative results.

If you're looking for an artistic or painterly effect, a heavily textured paper may be the right surface. Another advantage of rough texture is that it can hide image flaws like excess noise or lower resolution. Very large prints are often printed on watercolor paper for this reason.

An interesting surface that works in a lot of situations is a semigloss or luster surface. It holds detail well, but is less reflective than a glossy paper and is a good choice if the image is going to be displayed in a frame with glass.

Glossy paper is designed to give maximum detail, making it the desired surface for printed images being used for reproduction, but not particularly aesthetic. A semigloss will also reproduce well. Beyond these basics, there are many variations in media, including canvas, metal and cloth.

I prefer papers in the 320 gsm weight range. The weight of the paper is important in the handling of the print, as well as in the quality it conveys when the print isn't mounted or framed. Thin, or light, paper tends to become flawed by crescent marks when handled; the problem is greater with larger prints.

Inkjet papers come in a variety of subtle colors. Enhanced white papers with brighteners in the paper are great for glossy images having lots of detail and a good tonal range. Whites and warm creams might be chosen depending on the nuances of the image.

Toning of the image once was a factor of chemically altering the silver in the print. In the digital photo age, we can color the black-and-white image any way we desire using our imaging software. Keep in mind that a cold tone probably won't look too good on a creamy, warm paper. The toning of an image can be done within Photoshop or using a black-and-white enhancing software like Nik Silver Efex 2 (www.niksoftware.com)).

For information about upcoming seminars and digital-imaging workshops, visit www.georgelepp.com. If you have any tips or questions, address them to: OUTDOOR PHOTOGRAPHER, Dept. TT, George Lepp, 12121 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1200, Los Angeles, CA 90025-1176 or online at www.georgelepp.com.

George Lepp

One of North America’s best-known contemporary outdoor and nature photographers and a leader in the field of digital imaging and photographic education, Lepp is the author of many books and the field editor of Outdoor Photographer magazine. One of Canon’s original Explorers of Light, Lepp finds inspiration in advancing technology that fuels creative innovation and expression of his life-long fascination with the natural world.