Macro Photography & Focus Stacking Made Easy from Udemy

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Learning objectives

Select the right camera, lenses, attachments and light sources.
Use focus stacking, and process stacked images in photoshop and helicon focus.

Take close-up and macro photos using a range of lenses, attachments and light sources.
Use your computer to capture stacked images.

Select the right camera, lenses, attachments and light sources.
Use focus stacking, and process stacked images in photoshop and helicon focus.
Take close-up and macro photos using a range of lenses, attachments and light sources.
Use your computer to capture stacked images.

Syllabus

At the end of this section you'll have an overview of what the course comprises, how it can benefit you, and what equipment you'll need.

This provides an overview of the course and lists the hardware and software you'll need.

We look at the differences between close-up and macro photography.

What is close-up and macro photography?

At the end of this section you'll understand the relationship between sensor size and magnification, be able to use various camera functions, and select the best settings for close-up and macro.

We look at the different sensor sizes of DSLR and mirrorless cameras and what they mean in practice for close-up and macro photography. The difference in magnification and quality of full-frame and cropped-frame sensors. What sensor/lens combination is best for close-up and macro.

Where to find and use the depth-of-field preview button, mirror lockup, remote release port, self timer, Wi-Fi or USB port and HDMI port on your camera.

How to select the best menu settings for close-up and macro, including ISO, image quality, and white balance. Understand the mode dial and what each selection means.

Your camera.

At the end of this section you'll be able to combine exposure, white balance, focus and depth of field when taking close-up and macro photos.

How exposure, white balance, focus and composition work together to make a good photograph.

How focus and aperture work together to determine depth of field (the area in focus). How to employ depth of field to create your perfect photo.

How to find the "sweet spot" of your lens to capture the sharpest image. Balancing depth of field with the sweet spot for optimal quality. Using the depth of field preview button or live view to determine depth of field.

Shooting close-up and macro.

At the end of this section you'll be able to turn your ordinary lens into a macro lens, use extension tubes and bellows, use closer-focus lenses and stacked lenses, and select the right macro lens.

How to turn you everyday lens into a macro lens by reversing it. What reverse adapters are available and which are the most suitable. The best ways to use reverse adapters.

Selecting and using extension tubes to get closer to the subject and increase magnification. Explore extension tube options suited to your needs. Advantages and disadvantages of different tube sets,

How to selected the best bellows system for your needs, then use it to get even closer to the subject. Explore various bellows lenses, including microscope objectives, to achieve extreme macro magnification.

How to increase magnification without light loss using close-focus lenses. Advantage of achromatic doublets. Finding the most suitable close-focus lenses to attached to your lens.

How to turn a cheap discontinued standard lens into a high-powered optic when attached to the front of your lens, Finding the right lens for stacking. Which stacked and prime lens combination yields best results.

What are macro lenses and how do they work. What focal lengths are most useful for your needs. Third party macro lens alternatives. Using the Canon MPE-65 lens for extreme macro.

Lenses and attachments.

At the end of this section you'll be able to select the right tripod and tripod head for close-up and macro, and use focus sliders and other accessories to steady your camera and fine-tune your focus.

How to choose the right tripod and tripod head. Aluminium versus carbon fiber. What makes a good tripod head for macro. Arca-Swiss rapid release and ball heads. Using the Benbo Trekker tripod.

Selecting and using focus sliders. Single and dual movement units. Different cable releases. Steadying the subject using a cheap DIY attachment.

Supports, sliders and accessories

At the end of this section you'll be able to select and use the best lighting source for your project, including electronic flash (both ring flash and removable heads), LED, tungsten and fiber-optic.

Turn you on-camera flash into a macro flash using a Pringle crisps can. Adapt an everyday flash unit for macro work using flash brackets and off-camera cable. Regulating light output for ETTL.

Explore dedicated macro flash units. When and how to use ring flash and dual flash heads. How to vary light output and create contrast and fill-light. Which macro flash is best for field work.

Turn in Ikea LED lamp into a macro light. Dual fiber-optic lights and fiber-optic ring lights. Which lights to use when photographing aquatic subjects in fish tanks.

Lighting

At the end of this section you'll be able to capture large numbers of images at different focus points for focus stacking, using both manual and computer driven methods.

How to add unlimited depth-of-field by taking a series of shots and stacking the in-focus images into a single photo.

How to capture a series of photos for focus stacking by advancing the focus ring of your lens or by using focus sliders. Pros and cons of each method.

Download and set up the free Helicon Remote focus stacking program using a computer. Choose the best settings for your project.

Link your camera to a computer, then use the free Helicon Remote software to capture focus stacks. Capture from only a few photos to hundreds of images in series.

Focus stacking

At the end of this section you'll be processing focus stacks into single images using both Photoshop and Helicon Focus, then retouching the final image to remove imperfections.

After capturing the series of images for focus stacking (whether manually or via Helicon Remote), stack them into one sharply focused image using Adobe Photoshop.

Go to external resources link to a free trial version of Photoshop.

Go to downloadable materials for a file Lecture 24 - Image stacking with Photoshop.pdf (133.2 kB) for detailed instructions on how to stack an image in Photoshop.

Go to downloadable materials and download and unpack either the ZIP or RAR file. The _P1A...jpg files are a series of photos of a fungus you can use to practise stacking. The file stacked image.jpg is the result of stacking them for you to compare with your stacked image.

Download a free trial version of Helicon Focus (see external Resources for download link). Setting up the software for your focus stacking needs.

Using Helicon Focus to stack images in series captured manually or using Helicon Remote. Use three different stacking methods to get the best results.

Using the powerful editing tools in Helicon Focus, learn to correct any imperfections in the final stacked images. Add captions and scale rulers.

At the end of this section you'll use knowledge gained through the course to record close-up and macro subjects, including spiders and insects, through still photography and video.

This lecture provides some ideas for shooting macro photos and video so you can apply all the knowledge you have gained from the course. Thanks for attending ... and happy shooting!

Put theory into practice with a range of hands-on activities covering many aspects of close-up and macro photography.

How to photograph flowers and other objects refracted in water drops.

Use various light sources (including a light tent) to photograph jewellery, coins. ornaments, photos and other paper based objects.

Getting tiny critters to pose for your camera.

How to shoot still-life images using fruit and vegetables

Have fun photographing human and animal eyes

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Teaches how to use Photoshop's focus stacking feature

Taught by an experienced photographer with extensive work published in reputable magazines

Presents a comprehensive study of close-up and macro photography techniques

Students' testimonials praise the course for its detailed instructions and practical tips

Includes a series of hands-on activities to help students apply what they learn

Some students may need to invest in additional equipment to fully benefit from the course content

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Macro Photography & Focus Stacking Made Easy with these activities:

Read 'Close-up Photography and Macro Photography for Beginners' by Harold Davis

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This book provides a comprehensive overview of close-up and macro photography, covering both the technical and creative aspects of the craft.

View Photographing Flowers: Exploring Macro Worlds... on Amazon

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Read through the book, taking notes on key concepts and techniques.
Experiment with the techniques described in the book to improve your close-up and macro photography skills.

Identify different types of lenses and attachments

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This activity will help you refresh your knowledge of different types of lenses and attachments, which will be essential for taking close-up and macro photographs.

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Review the different types of lenses available for close-up and macro photography, such as macro lenses, extension tubes, and close-up filters.
Consider the different factors to consider when choosing a lens or attachment, such as focal length, aperture, and magnification.

Find a mentor or experienced close-up photographer to provide feedback on your work

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Receiving feedback from an experienced close-up photographer can help you identify areas for improvement and accelerate your progress.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Attend photography workshops or events to meet other photographers.
Join online photography communities or forums to connect with other photographers.
Reach out to photographers whose work you admire and ask if they would be willing to mentor you.

Five other activities

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Watch tutorials on how to use focus stacking techniques

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Focus stacking is a technique that can help you achieve greater depth of field in your close-up and macro photographs. This activity will provide you with the opportunity to learn how to use focus stacking techniques.

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Find tutorials on focus stacking techniques, such as those available on YouTube or photography websites.
Follow the steps outlined in the tutorials to learn how to use focus stacking software, such as Helicon Focus or Adobe Photoshop.
Practice using focus stacking techniques on your own photographs.

Take close-up and macro photographs of different subjects

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The best way to improve your close-up and macro photography skills is to practice. This activity will give you the opportunity to experiment with different techniques and compositions.

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Choose a variety of subjects to photograph, such as flowers, insects, or small objects.
Experiment with different camera settings, such as aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.
Use different lighting techniques to create different effects.

Create a portfolio of your best close-up and macro photographs

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Creating a portfolio of your best close-up and macro photographs will allow you to showcase your skills and progress.

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Select your best close-up and macro photographs to include in your portfolio.
Edit and process your photographs to improve their quality.
Create a website or online gallery to display your portfolio.

Create a series of close-up or macro photographs that tell a story

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Creating a series of close-up or macro photographs that tell a story will help you develop your creativity and storytelling skills.

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Brainstorm ideas for a story that you could tell through close-up or macro photography.
Plan out the shots you will need to tell your story.
Take the photographs and edit them to create a cohesive series.

Create a presentation or infographic that summarizes your learning from the course

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Creating a presentation or infographic will help you consolidate your learning and share your knowledge with others.

Browse courses on Presentation

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Review the materials from the course and identify the key concepts you have learned.
Create a presentation or infographic that summarizes the key concepts in a clear and engaging way.
Present your presentation or infographic to others and answer any questions they may have.

Career center

Learners who complete Macro Photography & Focus Stacking Made Easy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

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Macro Photography & Focus Stacking Made Easy

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