First attempt at photo stacking.

First attempt at photo stacking. Used 16 images.

Thoughts? (Looking for thoughts on the stacking quality primarily, not so much the composition.)

Not sure that I get the purpose of the photo, but the focus stacking looks good.

The platform that they're sitting on is in focus all the way through. I can't figure out why the pumpkins look soft.

16 shots? What focal length/aperture were you using and how far away was the closest pumpkin?

What software was used...

The wall and wood look in focus, but the pumpkins don't. Focus stacking should get everything sharp.

troehr wrote in post #17761033
The wall and wood look in focus, but the pumpkins don't. Focus stacking should get everything sharp.

I noticed this too. I think what's happening is that in the individual frames the forward edge of the platform is in focus, but the pumpkin in the same frame is not. So this is a new concept: you have to stack different parts of the frames. That makes my head dizzy.

Sharp wall and wood but the pumpkins are not sharp...

Lousy subjects for evaluating stacking. The front pumpkin looks unsharp, but that could well be its natural appearance.

Something like this works quite well.

IMAGE LINK: http://s329.photobucke​t.com …ncey43/media/f1​0.jpg.html

joedlh wrote in post #17760590
The platform that they're sitting on is in focus all the way through. I can't figure out why the pumpkins look soft.

if this was done using some automatic technique (like photoshop's merge) then it's possible the program chose the wrong areas from each frame. i personally do use photoshop, but every time i do the original results are only a starting point. then i usually take many hours perfecting which areas are picked. in this case photoshop could have completely screwed up, which often it does.

and a tip for the op, though would be my opinion: most pictures look better not completely sharp all the way through. even types that typically employ focus stacking, like macro stuff, still look best when there is some perceived DOF. so in this case, i would chose what is the area you want the viewer to be focused on, make sure that part is sharp, then trail off the sharpness going away from it.

Finally, I have a chance to breathe and get back to this. Thank you all for your questions and feedback. I'll try to address as many as I can here, in no particular order...

1- The software is Zerene Stacker. First time I ever used it.

2- I manually focused everything, using a 100mm f2.8L IS macro (IS turned off due it being on a tripod). I'm sure the increments are uneven since I did it manually.

3- I used the wood as my gauge as I thought that would make a good subject for judging.

4- The photo has no purpose other than practicing a new technique. It's not intended to be inspiring.

5- I felt the pumpkins, at least the closest pumpkin, was indeed soft. So, it's not just me.