Phalaenopsis Mini Mark and Focus Stacking - Orchid Board

ronaldhanko · #1 08-21-2009, 01:56 AM

I've been posting mostly native orchid photos this summer (will get back to other photos when the weather changes and the native orchids are finished), but thought I'd post a Phal picture showing the result of "focus stacking." Bonsai1504 in another thread (http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-good-dof.html) recommended a program called CombineZM which can be used in macro photography to increase depth of field. I've downloaded and worked with the program and found it very useful. The following photos of a Phalaenopsis Mini Mark show some of the results:

Phalaenopsis Mini Mark 'Holm' on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Oscarman · #2 08-21-2009, 02:01 AM

With your Mini Mark phot, did you focus on different parts of the same flower, or the different flowers. The effect is really good.

What are you using for your set up...lights etc?

ronaldhanko · #3 08-21-2009, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oscarman

With your Mini Mark phot, did you focus on different parts of the same flower, or the different flowers. The effect is really good.

What are you using for your set up...lights etc?

Hi Dave,
For my setup I use an old stand with two reflectors with 100w incandescent bulbs (very primitive). I set my white balance in the camera for incandescent light though there is also some daylight in the room. I use a tripod and a remote shutter release to avoid camera shake and in this case focused first on the front of the closest flower then on the farthest part of the back flower and finally focused halfway between the two as nearly as I could estimate. I shot at an aperture of 9 and could have taken more shots (on a subject this deep I would probably take four or five shots next time.

RosieC · #4 08-21-2009, 07:19 AM

Wow. I'm not a photographer like you guys, but that is a stunninly clear pic. I'm also a big fan of Mini Mark making it even better

RosieC · #5 08-21-2009, 07:28 AM

Ok, reading about 'Focus Stacking' on your link I have a question. I hope you don't mind a question from someone with no real clue about photography.

My little 'shoot and click' digital cammera has something called 'digital macro' which holds the shutter open a loooong time before giving a very clear pic (provided the camera did not move, although it seems to cope with fractional movement becuase I don't have a tripod) at a close up distance the standard macro setting would just get fuzzyness for.

I sort of guessed it might be taking multiple shots then doing some jiggery-pokery with them. Now I read about this 'focus stacking' I wonder if I was right, or is it likely to be doing something completely different.

I should say it was not a cheapy 'shot and click', and has some very good mode settings and even a manual mode, but it comes nowhere near the DSLRs that you guys use.

ronaldhanko · #6 08-21-2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

Ok, reading about 'Focus Stacking' on your link I have a question. I hope you don't mind a question from someone with no real clue about photography.

My little 'shoot and click' digital cammera has something called 'digital macro' which holds the shutter open a loooong time before giving a very clear pic (provided the camera did not move, although it seems to cope with fractional movement becuase I don't have a tripod) at a close up distance the standard macro setting would just get fuzzyness for.

I sort of guessed it might be taking multiple shots then doing some jiggery-pokery with them. Now I read about this 'focus stacking' I wonder if I was right, or is it likely to be doing something completely different.

I should say it was not a cheapy 'shot and click', and has some very good mode settings and even a manual mode, but it comes nowhere near the DSLRs that you guys use.

Hi Rosie,
I never mind questions. You never learn anything if you don't ask and that's what this Board is about - learning. In fact, I've had to relearn after doing photography for 25-30 years with the advent of digital cameras and I've asked endless questions and am still asking.
Re your camera, I doubt very much if it is doing focus stacking. I don't know of any camera that does it. Probably the reason the camera shutter stays open so long is simply the macro setting. To get any depth of field at that range the shutter has to stay open longer and the image stabilization system is what compensates for small movements.
I would suggest trying to learn to use the manual setting and some of the others also (you probably have aperture priority, etc.) They'll really open up a new realm of possibilities, at least if you are interested in getting good photos of your flowers.
A tripod will really open up a new range of possibilities (but don't get the funny things with bendy legs, they're useless).

RosieC · #7 08-21-2009, 03:52 PM

Thanks Ron,

Good to understand what it's probably doing... well sort of understand anyway... am I right in thinking it has to narrow the apature for the depth of field and then has to have a longer exposure to get enough light through the narrow appature?

I find it really amazing that it can get such clear closeup shots when the shutter stayes open and I'm just holding it in my hand (so it's not particually still).

Orchids are actually making me get more interested in Photography as well. Trying to get that perfect shot of my orchids has made me play with all sorts of settings on the camera.

ronaldhanko · #8 08-21-2009, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

Thanks Ron,

Good to understand what it's probably doing... well sort of understand anyway... am I right in thinking it has to narrow the apature for the depth of field and then has to have a longer exposure to get enough light through the narrow appature?

I find it really amazing that it can get such clear closeup shots when the shutter stayes open and I'm just holding it in my hand (so it's not particually still).

Orchids are actually making me get more interested in Photography as well. Trying to get that perfect shot of my orchids has made me play with all sorts of settings on the camera.

Hi Rosie,
You are right - narrower aperture give greater depth of field, but then you need a longer exposure. What's most confusing, however, is that the larger the number the smaller the aperture (f/16 is larger than f/32). But the smaller the aperture, the less light is getting in, so you need a longer exposure. That's why when you are shooting at a very small aperture you either need a tripod because you can't hold the camera still long enough or you need to compensate in other ways.
I generally like the background well blurred (good bokeh), but that means a large aperture and little depth of field, thus the use of a program like CombineZM.
Image stabilization is a great thing, though. It really helps when you don't have a tripod.

ronaldhanko · #9 08-21-2009, 05:21 PM

Was going to add, Rosie, that it was my interest in orchids that really gave a push to my interest in photography. Until I got into orchids 30 years ago my interest in photography was quite casual. It certainly isn't anymore.

Connie Star · #10 08-29-2009, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

I've been posting mostly native orchid photos this summer (will get back to other photos when the weather changes and the native orchids are finished), but thought I'd post a Phal picture showing the result of "focus stacking." Bonsai1504 in another thread (http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-good-dof.html) recommended a program called CombineZM which can be used in macro photography to increase depth of field. I've downloaded and worked with the program and found it very useful. The following photos of a Phalaenopsis Mini Mark show some of the results:

Phalaenopsis Mini Mark 'Holm' on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

I've been trying the photo stacking with mixed results so far.
Should I be separating the focus points by a certain amount?
I have years of experience with macro photography, but this is new to me and very exciting.
Where can I learn more?