The benefits of living with a botanist

[rob marshall]

Rob, Great pictures - so sharp.

When you are focus stacking, do you have to do anything about the focal length of the lens changing as you focus (I'm thinking about the Nikon 105 f/2.8 Micro - maybe it isn't a problem with the Sigma).

- Paul

I sometimes have a problem if I try to get too much of a focus range in. But normally it's OK. The make of lens shouldn't make much difference.

[rob marshall]

... I haven't had a lot of success with focus stacking (probably because I'm as impatient as all get-out), but you're making me want to continue to work on it.

It's pretty easy once you have the knack. I'd suggest putting half a day aside and try some proper attempts at it. Try different options - see what works. I think it does help having flash lighting (either flash-gun or studio flash) as you can rattle the shots off much quicker. It avoids any camera shake too.

[vicphotog]

These are beautiful Rob. I struggle to shoot flowers that don't end up looking like I just walked up to a flower and took a snap of it, but yours and a few others here inspire me to keep trying! I spent half the morning today shooting some that I hope after a bit of PP will be worthy of posting here for some c&c

[Katy Noelle]

I don't stack everything. Sometimes I don't stack at all, and sometimes I just partially stack - like this one...

I remember and really, really like this one from your website.

Those are amazing shots in that link. But you have to remember they don't look like that in real life. There's a lot of Photoshop there.

I went back and looked after everything you've said, here, and see them in a totally different light.

I try to stick to f/8 or f/11 because that's supposed to be the best setting for most lenses. My macro goes to f/32, but I've never used it. If you stack, then f/8 is fine and it doesn't really have any effect using a smaller aperture as the multiple shots should cover the focus range anyway. personally, I think some shots look better with just one part of the flower in focus (or focus stacked) and the rest OOF. And don't forget you can get some very nice bokeh effects in some shots.

I have another question about the best setting for a lens that I've been too timid to ask. Isn't one of the advantages of a prime lens that it is clearer through more of the apertures than a zoom? Because of the shape of the glass...? (I don't know if I'm using the right words.) Then, somewhere, I read that, at smaller apertures, the focus can become softer but I don't know if that was relating to my lens or not. My little handy-dandy booklet that came with my lens only says, "Image qualtiy deteriorates near the minimum aperture opening due to diffraction."

Also, what you've said encourages me to keep being brave enough to think outside the box...hopefully, I'll do something about that.

Maybe you are still just a kid, like me?

You know, I am positive that you are right! (whistle, whistle.)

And, Rob, thanks for taking the time to share all of this.

[Crovean]

#1 is just amazingly beautiful!

[Dave Humphries]

Another question that I have but have been too shy to ask is about dof. I've been doing quite a few of my flowers at f29 with the 60mm prime (which goes to f32) because they're close up and at an angle. Is there an advantage or disadvantage to using such a high dof?

and

My little handy-dandy booklet that came with my lens only says, "Image qualtiy deteriorates near the minimum aperture opening due to diffraction."

Hi Katy,

Yes indeed.

When you have a clear head ...

Understanding Diffraction: Pixel Size, Aperture and Airy Disks

Cheers,

[Dave Humphries]

Great shots Rob, can't say anything but "wow"

[Katy Noelle]

and


Hi Katy,

Yes indeed.

When you have a clear head ...

Understanding Diffraction: Pixel Size, Aperture and Airy Disks

Cheers,

oh.my.goodness! I remember this one. I'll see if I can chop through it better, this time.