Focus Bracketing and Stacking by Bob Coates

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!"

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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.

Shot and processed in the Lumix GX85 camera

Comparison between the Focus Stacked and blended image vs a single frame

A new addition to the shooting menu now allows for focus stacking of full-size files. It’s called Focus Bracketing. You dial in how many exposures you would like to capture and the movement of the focus, with a single button push the images are captured. One more setting is available for the stack order. I recommend the 0-+ rather than the -0+ because when you are trying to blend the images it seems Photoshop has trouble blending the images when they are not in sequence. Your mileage may vary. Test away and let me know how you are creating your focus stacked photos.

Dawn at Horseshoe Bend near Page, AZ 20 image Focus Bracket blended in Adobe Photoshop

​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.