Blurry glow around macro subjects

[Sporefect]

Hi, I need some help... how can I minimize the blur/glow around my macro subjects in this image? I assume this is a common beginner issue... I have attached the final image that came out, as well as the first image in the stack. Note the blurry outline around each of the lichen cups.

pixiecupsblurry copy.jpg

(2.8 MiB) Not downloaded yet

E27A1770 copy.jpg

(796.17 KiB) Not downloaded yet

Any help is much appreciated. Thank you!

[Catherine]

Hi,

The first thing to do is to check whether the source images actually have these areas in focus. Are you able to use the retouching tool in Helicon Focus to manually paint the halo with the sharp image from the corresponding source file?

Often you will find out that due to focus breathing these areas are simply not in focus to begin with.