How about HDOF instead of HDR?

How about HDOF instead of HDR? · 03:00 PM

Lots of folks here have shared HDR images. But I don't recall seeing any HDOF images yet.
Here's a rough 1st attempt on my part combining 5 images of a tiny spider with small shifts in focal point between images. Clearly there are gaps in the focus but I think it turned out ok.

Taken with a reversed 50mm lens (Minolta f1.7) mounted in front of my M100/4 Macro lens. Even at f22 on the Macro lens, DOF for each image was still quite narrow.

Does anyone have other examples to share?

-Mark

channeler · 03-01-2008, 04:25 PM

Great image Mark. HDOF worked pretty good.

Paul

creampuff · 03-01-2008, 04:51 PM

Nice pix. More interested to know your post-processing in combining the images.
I think the more commonly used term is focus stacking.

SWEngineer · 03-01-2008, 08:52 PM

Originally posted by creampuff

Nice pix. More interested to know your post-processing in combining the images.
I think the more commonly used term is focus stacking.

Hi creampuff! This was not a very serious effort. So the post processing is rather simple.
In PS CS2, drag all the images together as separate layers in one file.
Then, working from the bottom layer to the top...

Nudge the upper layer if needed to refine the alignment.
Add a black layer mask and paint with white to reveal the regions of improved focus.
Add a curves layer in clipping mask mode to refine exposure if needed.

Then refine layer masks and curves adjustments as desired. Save the file.
See below for a screen capture of the layers pallet for my spider image.
Merge all the layers. Apply some "capture" sharpen. Merge layers again.
Resize and sharpen slightly. Save as a jpg.

-Mark

deejjjaaaa · 03-01-2008, 09:38 PM

Originally posted by creampuff

Nice pix. More interested to know your post-processing in combining the images.
I think the more commonly used term is focus stacking.

or you can get Helicon Focus ( Helicon Soft: Products )

carpents · 03-02-2008, 10:55 AM

I like it and didn't notice the DOF gaps until after you told me what it was. This is probably best to use with static subjects though...you had one heck of a patient spider to deal with.

SWEngineer · 03-02-2008, 08:40 PM

Originally posted by carpents

I like it and didn't notice the DOF gaps until after you told me what it was. This is probably best to use with static subjects though...you had one heck of a patient spider to deal with.

Sean, I think the spider was more scared than patient. Or maybe I keep the thermostat set too low in the house.

But I agree, this likely will not work for a BIF (bug in flight) shot.

Originally posted by channeler:

Great image Mark. HDOF worked pretty good.

Paul

Thanks Paul. Give it a go sometime if you like high mag macro work.

Originally posted by deejjjaaaa:

...or you can get Helicon Focus ( Helicon Soft: Products )

Thanks for tip. But at least for now, I think it is too pricey.

Take care all.

-Mark

BrendanPK · 03-03-2008, 01:53 PM

Cool man, I used to do this with 4x5 cameras in the studio.. have it all blacked out, mark the focusing points on the rail etc. it was really cool all in-camera stuff... now that gives me an idea... multiple shot combo mode in tha K10 (sure the K20 has it too) humm I shale try

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03-01-2008, 08:52 PM	#4
SWEngineer Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Albuquerque, NM Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 308 Original Poster	Originally posted by creampuff Nice pix. More interested to know your post-processing in combining the images. I think the more commonly used term is focus stacking. Hi creampuff! This was not a very serious effort. So the post processing is rather simple. In PS CS2, drag all the images together as separate layers in one file. Then, working from the bottom layer to the top... Nudge the upper layer if needed to refine the alignment. Add a black layer mask and paint with white to reveal the regions of improved focus. Add a curves layer in clipping mask mode to refine exposure if needed. Then refine layer masks and curves adjustments as desired. Save the file. See below for a screen capture of the layers pallet for my spider image. Merge all the layers. Apply some "capture" sharpen. Merge layers again. Resize and sharpen slightly. Save as a jpg. -Mark

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03-01-2008, 04:25 PM	#2
channeler Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northwich Cheshire England Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,009	Great image Mark. HDOF worked pretty good. Paul

03-01-2008, 04:51 PM	#3
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Nice pix. More interested to know your post-processing in combining the images. I think the more commonly used term is focus stacking.

03-01-2008, 09:38 PM	#5
deejjjaaaa Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: steel city / rust belt Posts: 2,043	Originally posted by creampuff Nice pix. More interested to know your post-processing in combining the images. I think the more commonly used term is focus stacking. or you can get Helicon Focus ( Helicon Soft: Products )

03-02-2008, 10:55 AM	#6
carpents Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: West Chester, PA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,420	I like it and didn't notice the DOF gaps until after you told me what it was. This is probably best to use with static subjects though...you had one heck of a patient spider to deal with.

03-02-2008, 08:40 PM	#7
SWEngineer Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Albuquerque, NM Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 308 Original Poster	Originally posted by carpents I like it and didn't notice the DOF gaps until after you told me what it was. This is probably best to use with static subjects though...you had one heck of a patient spider to deal with. Sean, I think the spider was more scared than patient. Or maybe I keep the thermostat set too low in the house. But I agree, this likely will not work for a BIF (bug in flight) shot. Originally posted by channeler: Great image Mark. HDOF worked pretty good. Paul Thanks Paul. Give it a go sometime if you like high mag macro work. Originally posted by deejjjaaaa: ...or you can get Helicon Focus ( Helicon Soft: Products ) Thanks for tip. But at least for now, I think it is too pricey. Take care all. -Mark

03-03-2008, 01:53 PM	#8
BrendanPK Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 735	Cool man, I used to do this with 4x5 cameras in the studio.. have it all blacked out, mark the focusing points on the rail etc. it was really cool all in-camera stuff... now that gives me an idea... multiple shot combo mode in tha K10 (sure the K20 has it too) humm I shale try