Photo Stacking Techniques and Software

Could the artifacts be from too much in camera sharpening or is the computer program applying too mush sharpening?
I use Automate tool under File in in CS6 and it works really well with no artifacts.

Joel Eade wrote:A few "quick tips"

1. subject does have to be essentially motionless for best detail....that may require going indoors
2. you will want a focusing rail because it works better to move the camera and lens as a unit for each shot rather than turning the focusing ring
3. you will want a macro flash or some other additional light usually
4. you will want to shoot relatively wide open so each image has a narrow d.o.f.
5. photoshop works pretty well with stacking up to about 20 images
6. Zerene Stacker will do hundreds.

got that.....good basic advice

Larry Shuman wrote:Could the artifacts be from too much in camera sharpening or is the computer program applying too mush sharpening?
I use Automate tool under File in in CS6 and it works really well with no artifacts.

Could be Larry...you are probably right.  Have not yet tried it again.

Craig Browne wrote:Ive photographed bee's in flight on continues burst and have been able to stack a few photos, I also like to focus with the lens, sometimes taking more photos of the area of most interest to me. I never use flash outdoors anymore only like natural light. I like to use f 5.6 or 7.1 the sweet spot of the lens

Interesting!  This sounds like advanced stacking advice

dissent wrote:Another person who has a bunch of fine stacks of live subjects, in the field (often shot in that beautiful very early morning light), is John Hallmén.

edit - https://www.flickr.com/photos/johnhallm ... 768541820/

This guy's work is fantastic!

DChan wrote:

Craig Browne wrote:Yes he is quit the character,    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Erlewine

I was trying to find if he talks about photo-stacking non-frozen or dead bugs but having a hard time looking for it.

Well, you have brought up a good point I think:

We all have our opinions and I sure have mine.  I think it is not ethical to buy insects on the internet just to photograph them.  I mean, if the photographer is stack-photographing them, he/she probably does have to freeze them….or at least cool them way down.  

And then, what does the photographer do with them after the shoot?

After this original discussion, I did find some sites that sell insects ONLINE.   This is a way to spread exotic insects onto places they can cause havoc.  So, for several reasons…...I do not think I like businesses that sell bugs online. 

We really do need to question such things.  In the U.S., I believe it is the USDA and the USFWS that are responsible for regulating this traffic.  I wonder if they are doing their jobs regarding this.

Robert King.