Intro by Skip Cohen

Panasonic Luminary Bob Coates is back with a great little demonstration of two features now available in the new LUMIX cameras, focus stacking and focus bracketing. Bob's joined us numerous times here at SCU, most recently with a stunning portrait and backstory on "Why?"

Check out Bob's blog Successful-Photographer.com. He's always sharing terrific information to help you build a more successful business. Plus, you'll find more great images from the rest of the Luminary team with a visit to the LUMIX Lounge.

Bob's part of the most diverse team in professional photography, the Luminary team. They're always sharing great images and information to help you raise the bar on your own skill set. Panasonic never slows down in standing behind their slogan of "Changing Photography!"

by Bob Coates

​A feature I have been looking for is now available in LUMIX cameras. I enjoy creating hyper depth-of-field images with focus stacking. This technique allows a photographer to use the sweet spot in the lens to capture and create a look in an image that cannot be created any other way.
 
The first move in that direction Panasonic supplied a method that leverages the 4K Video in a Photo Mode to use all of the focusing points in the camera. This feature allows the pulling of an individual image to choose where to have the focus point after the capture, which can be done by viewing and selecting on the back of the camera or in post-production. You may also use the individual images for focus stacking.
 
Focus Stacking makes it possible to have hyper-focus in your photograph. This is very useful in situations where you are shooting macro images or capturing a landscape and want the deepest depth of field possible. A pretty amazing thing is we can use the camera to automatically process the focus stack of all the images or choose which we would like to use to be able to hone in exactly where we would like focus to drop off.

​Creative possibilities are increasing with each new LUMIX camera being introduced. I’m looking forward to leveraging the post-focus and focus bracketing features more in the future.

by Skip Cohen

I had completely forgotten about this live Google+ hangout we did in the Panasonic booth at WPPI. There are some really good points about networking, attending conventions and building your business, brought out by Frederick Van Johnson, Kristen Jensen, Martin Bailey and me in this video.

You'll find a lot more great content in the LUMIX Lounge online every day. Panasonic's Luminary team is one of the most diverse groups of artists and educators in the industry. They're always willing to help you raise the bar on your business, skill set and at times, even your lifestyle.

I've written a lot about the FZ-300, which is my favorite travel camera. At only 1.5 pounds it's always in my backpack, no matter where we're headed. While it's got a smaller sensor, that doesn't change its potential for great images. I tend to bounce back and forth between "IA" and Aperture Priority, depending on what I'm doing.

The image above was from a trip to Ohio while sitting on the back deck of one of our favorite restaurants. It's not meant to capture anything spectacular, except to show you the quality of the images when the 25-600mm Leica DC Vario-Elmarit lens is racked out all the way. 

The FZ300 has a fixed lens and is just one member of the LUMIX family.

Find out more about the complete LUMIX line and meet Panasonic's Luminary team with a visit to the LUMIX Lounge. Members of the Luminary team are on the road all year long speaking at workshops, retailers and conventions. Check out the event schedule and then make it a point to test drive mirrorless technology for yourself.

​Panasonic's tagline, "Changing Photography," couldn't be more appropriate. Just click on the banner below to visit the Lumix Lounge.