Introduction to Tools for Photo Stacking

The idea of photo stacking (sometimes called focus stacking) is to take multiple photos, each with a different distance in focus, then combine all the in-focus parts in a single image.

Note: This is not my original idea.
I ran into it by accident on this page by an insect photographer, Allan Walls.
If you want to see some amazing photgraphy, check out his site here.

Equipment

• Digital camera that supports remote control
  
  • Remote control avoids the motion blur that can result from manually triggering the camera.
  • Many (most?) modern DSLR and mirrorless cameras support this.
  • Some smart phone cameras also support remote control.
  • Advantages of controlling the camera with a laptop include more convenient control of camera settings and a larger preview screen.
  • These controls can connect to the camera wirelessly or with a USB cable.


• Camera Tripod
  
  • A tripod reduces motion blur and insures that all the photos are from the same perspective.
  • It also frees your hands to control the camera remotely.


• Lights and backgrounds you would use for any photograph without photo stacking.
  
  • The intensity of the light is less critical since a tripod enables long exposures (seconds) without blur.
  • The color, position and diffusion of the lights are still important.

Software

• Camera Control Software
  In principle, you can produce the photos needed for photo stacking by manually adjusting the camera focus.
  But generating the scores or hundreds of photos would be very tedious and error prone.
  These programs allow a computer to automate the focus adjustments and image capture.
  Generally, you set the near focus point, the far focus point and the number of photos you want in between.
  The computer takes care of the rest.
  
  
  • DigiCamControl
    A free program for remote control of camera aperture, shutter speed, focus, and shutter.
    Other functions include bracketing and time lapse capture modes.
    It supports many Nikon, Canon and Sony DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
  
  
  • Helicon Remote
    In addition to focus bracketing, this program offfers features like exposure bracketing, time lapse, and wireless camera control.
    It supports many Nikon, Canon and Sony DSLR and mirrorless cameras.
    Cost: $48 - $75 liftime license. (Included in some photo stacking deals.)
  
  
  • I have read that some smart phones support remote control of the camera, but I have not yet tried this.


• Photo Stacking Software
  This list contains a few examples of software that can combine the photo stack into a single image.
  An online search will turn up many others.
  
  
  • focus-stack
    A free program by PetteriAimonen
    This is a command line program so it has no graphical user interface.
    All commands are typed in a Windows PowerShell window or Mac Terminal.
    
    Installation consists of downloading and uncompressing a folder with all the neccessary files from here.
    Under the "Assets", select the download which matches your computer operating system (MacOSX, Windows).
    For Windows, uncompressing the zipped file produces a folder named "focus-stack".
    Double clicking on focus-stack.html should open a web browser with instructions for running the program.
    
  
  
  • Zerene Stacker
    A commercial program with a graphical user interface.
    Using this program can be as simple as click-and-drag a folder of images into the application, then select "Stack" from a menu.
    Of course, there are lots of optional controls for advanced users.
    Cost: Free 30-Day Trial, between $39 and $289 for perpetual Student/Personal/Prosumer/Pro license.
  
  
  • Helicon Focus
    A commercial program that runs on Windows 10/11 and MacOS 12 or later.
    I have not used this program, but it has gotten many good reviews.
    Cost: $30 - $65 per month, between $114 and $240 for lifetime Lite/Pro/Premium license.
  
  
  • Adobe Photoshop
    I have not used this program either (due to its price), but if you are already in the Adobe ecosystem, it is worth considering.
    Cost: $22.99/month or $263/year.