Birdscape - 6 Images at F16

Birdscape - 6 Images at F16

12 Images Taken at F5-6 Stacked

12 Images Taken at F5-6 Stacked

LEFT-Single Exposure- RIGHT Focus Stacked

LEFT-Single Exposure- RIGHT Focus Stacked

20 Images at F22

20 Images at F22

"Focus Stacking-The Quest for Depth of Field"
by Dennis Goulet, HonNEC-RI
Monday, September 28, 7:30 PM


This teaching presentation is a look at the technique of focus stacking. Many times we find that depth of field is too shallow to obtain the image we visualize and may be limited by lens physics, or by creative choices we make such as large aperture or subject distance. Focus stacking is the merging of the sharp sections of multiple image captures of the same scene and has been demonstrated to be a useful tool to increase apparent depth of field. The technique can be applied to microscopic subjects and insect heads, macro subjects, isolating subjects for a soft background, and even landscapes. This program will demonstrate simple techniques in Photoshop to merge as few as two images to achieve depth of field otherwise unattainable. Our presenter states care must be taken in capturing the images, as anomalies sometimes arise; some of which are easily fixed and others that are impossible to fix. Dennis will demonstrate manual techniques as well as automated tools in Photoshop that are suitable for use with multiple image stacks. He will also discuss specialized focus stacking software and what is available.

Our presenter is a member of the Photographic Society of Rhode Island and the Massachusetts Camera Naturalists –CamNats- an invitation only nature organization, who concentrates his photographic endeavors on nature and landscape subjects. The immediate past president of the New England camera Club Council-NECCC-, he has given presentations, both teaching and showcase at many New England camera clubs, the NECCC Conference and has judged at numerous club and interclub competitions as well as several international exhibitions. As the past General Chairman of the NECCC annual conference, he is now in charge of the Conference ‘Door Prize Extravaganza’. Dennis’ images have appeared in several magazines including Audubon, Nature’s Best Photography, Birder’s World, Outdoor Photographer, and Sierra, as well as on websites of Audubon and National Wildlife magazine. His image of a Green-breasted Mango was selected Grand Prize Winner of Audubon Magazine’s Birds-In-Focus photography contest. You can see more of his work on his website at www.dennisgoulet.us