Borbin the 🐱

Focus stacking involves taking multiple photos at different focus points and merging them into a single image that contains only the sharpest areas.

Three images, each focused on different points -foreground, middle ground, and background- were taken and subsequently merged using PTGui and HeliconFocus.

PTGui

PTGui automatically established control points and precisely aligned all the images, performing as expected for a panoramic image application. Using a simple mask, the three in-focus areas were seamlessly integrated.

HeliconFocus

Since all the images were taken handheld, there are slight variations in perspective. This is evident in the results from HeliconFocus. It is likely that a dedicated focus stacking application expects images to be captured using a tripod for optimal results.

Isn't it surprising how good a panorama stitching app performs compared to a dedicated focus stacking app?

The Making of the test picture

See Combine pictures with PTGui, Focus stacking