Keep Multiple Animals Sharp At The Same Time

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Steve

Steve

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Have you ever run into a situation where you had multiple animals in the frame and just couldn't find a way to keep them all sharp at the same time - even when you stopped down? This is actually a really common problem for close and mid-range shots of small to medium-sized wildlife. In fact, most of the time there's no conventional way to make both animals sharp unless they are on the same focus plane.

However, there is a really cool unconventional way to do it! In this video, I'll show you a handy field / Photoshop technique that will allow you to do the impossible. Check it out!



NOTE - Update!

A YouTube commenter mentioned that another good way to align images manually if Auto Align doesn't work is, instead of dropping opacity, to switch the blend mode of the top image to "Difference". Then, make it as dark / black as you can when lining them up. Once lined up, switch the blend mode back to Normal mode. Works really well - I may even like it better.
 
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OK, out of curiosity, was this a new technique to anyone? I've been doing it for about 8 years now and I'm sure I'm not alone. However, it seems like it's kind of new to a lot of people, just curious.
 
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Thanks a lot. I tried something similar a few years ago but stopped processing after aligning them. Your additional steps will be really helpful for some shots I have been struggling with.
Thanks again.
 
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I have thought about it several times out photographing the wild horses, but never taken the time to actually do it. So this will be fun.
 
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Steve said:
Have you ever run into a situation where you had multiple animals in the frame and just couldn't find a way to keep them all sharp at the same time - even when you stopped down? This is actually a really common problem for close and mid-range shots of small to medium-sized wildlife. In fact, most of the time there's no conventional way to make both animals sharp unless they are on the same focus plane.

However, there is a really cool unconventional way to do it! In this video, I'll show you a handy field / Photoshop technique that will allow you to do the impossible. Check it out!

Click to expand...
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Helpful for not just wildlife shots -- thank you!
Also: I'm a long-time YT sub & have bought a couple of yr Nikon books, but just now signed up here for the first time. Look forward to learning even more! -- Deirdre
 
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Steve said:
OK, out of curiosity, was this a new technique to anyone? I've been doing it for about 8 years now and I'm sure I'm not alone. However, it seems like it's kind of new to a lot of people, just curious.
Click to expand...
I've focused stacked wildlife images a few times if they're fairly static but you included some very useful context that I'd never explicitly thought of like how it's easier if there's some separation between the animals and how shifting the camera and allowing for the re-alignment/canvas expansion may be quicker and smarter than moving your focus point for subjects that may move if you give them too much time.

As always, the clear, practical tips scattered throughout the video are easily as valuable as the overall topic. I mean anyone could say 'Try focus stacking for multiple subjects' but it's those field and post processing tidbits born out of practical experience that makes these so valuable.
 
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Steve said:
OK, out of curiosity, was this a new technique to anyone? I've been doing it for about 8 years now and I'm sure I'm not alone. However, it seems like it's kind of new to a lot of people, just curious.
Click to expand...
I've tried it with macro shots and landscapes. Had not thought of using it on wildlife. Great suggestion. Thank you.
 
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Steve said:
OK, out of curiosity, was this a new technique to anyone? I've been doing it for about 8 years now and I'm sure I'm not alone. However, it seems like it's kind of new to a lot of people, just curious.
Click to expand...
while not totally new, the use of reusing the focus point was very helpful and makes a lot of sense... and Dave (@DRwyoming ) said it best in his comment above.
 
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Steve said:
OK, out of curiosity, was this a new technique to anyone? I've been doing it for about 8 years now and I'm sure I'm not alone. However, it seems like it's kind of new to a lot of people, just curious.
Click to expand...
While focus stacking isn't new a lot in your video was new to me, and thank you. Even though I don't have full PS some of it can be used with PSE. In any event it's always good to see these videos.
 
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To be honest, I never really thought about it. Most of what I shoot is moving which doesn't lend itself to this technique. Still nice to have and is something I'll have in the back of my mind (as long as I can remember! Getting tougher every day....sigh) should a situation arise.
 
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