Best settings for stacking images of flowers

Shooting in macro mode, techniques, tips & tricks
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k93
Posts: 3
Joined: 20.03.2014 21:20

Best settings for stacking images of flowers

Post by k93 »

I make a lot of closeup images of flowers and details of flowers. I have started doing focus stacking, using from 3 to 8 stacked images. I have just started using Helicon Focus and would like to know what the is the best method and settings for flowers such as roses or dahlias. So far I have found the following two to work best:
1. Method B with a Radius of 8 and Smoothing of 2
2. Method C with a Radius of 4
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Stas Yatsenko
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Joined: 06.05.2009 14:05
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Re: Best settings for stacking images of flowers

Post by Stas Yatsenko »

Yes, flowers have lots of edges and intersecting details so method C should give best results. I would recommend to try method B with different Radius settings.
rushless
Posts: 7
Joined: 10.03.2015 20:49

Re: Best settings for stacking images of flowers

Post by rushless »

Hi,

I've recently purchased the software and been working with flowers. I agree that method C is best, I cannot get methods A or B to have complete focus, at least compared to method C. With C I can get fine hairs on flowers to show up!

I'm tagging to this post, wondering if anyone has tips on setting A B ranges for flowers in Heilicon Remote. Using a lens, not a stack rail. (100mm 2.8 canon macro).

I've found difficulty with white flowers, in particular.


Any tips on how to look at the situation I'm framing and determine nearest and farthest points? I've found this easier when I'm using a fairly straight on or straight down shot, but my mind is having issues picturing what to set as A and B for nearest/furtherst.

Thanks!
jsp
Posts: 8
Joined: 26.03.2015 12:22

Re: Best settings for stacking images of flowers

Post by jsp »

I'm also having trouble with white flowers. Any tips gratefully received.
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rushless
Posts: 7
Joined: 10.03.2015 20:49

Re: Best settings for stacking images of flowers

Post by rushless »

The best I've found so far is using continuous daylight but that's pretty dang hard to time and shoot.

I realized that if the program has trouble with varying light levels in the different stacks that it would have difficulty finding the overlapping edges on a pure white object that's reflecting the light.

I could be wrong, but that's my best guess so far. I just told a client I couldn't do white flowers >_>
rushless
Posts: 7
Joined: 10.03.2015 20:49

Re: Best settings for stacking images of flowers

Post by rushless »

I have to change my comment a bit, I hadn't downloaded your image.

Now that I do:

- Have you tried all three methods of stacking?
- I found C works best for fine detail but A works best if you want some contrast and colors still.
- Try isolating your background better too!
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