05.14.2020

Using Focus Bracketing and Stacking

Getting pin-sharp results right across the frame is tricky when shooting close-up and macro images, but focus bracketing – followed by some stacking and blending in post-production – can give you superb results, with everything in focus

With the focus bracketing option switched on, your X Series camera will make a number of frames, slightly varying the focusing distance for every image.

The main use of focus bracketing is for focus stacking: a post-production technique where photos made at slightly different focus distances are merged together to create a final image that’s completely sharp, from front to back. This is very useful when it’s not possible to create enough depth-of-field in-camera – for example, when photographing macro subjects.

  • Learn photography with Fujifilm, Unlock Advanced Focusing Features
  • Learn photography with Fujifilm, Unlock Advanced Focusing Features

Focus stacking is not difficult to do, though it can be fiddly and time-consuming. You’ll need to have your camera mounted firmly on a tripod so it doesn’t move about between frames, and you’ll need some software to merge (or ‘stack’) the images together – Adobe Photoshop can do this, but there are other options, too, such as Affinity Photo and Helicon Focus. Stacking is only really achievable with a static subject – if your subject moves even slightly, it will create problems when blending the images together.

Setting Up and Shooting

Focus bracketing can be found in the SHOOTING SETTING > DRIVE SETTING > BKT SETTING menu. Scroll and select FOCUS BKT. You’ll see three options: FRAMES, STEP, and INTERVAL.

  • FRAMES determines the number of frames captured between the starting focus point and infinity.
  • STEP sets the amount of change in focus distance between each frame, with greater numbers representing more change.
  • INTERVAL lets you set a delay between each frame, should you need to.
  • Learn photography with Fujifilm, Using Focus Bracketing and Stacking
  • Learn photography with Fujifilm, Using Focus Bracketing and Stacking
  • Learn photography with Fujifilm, Using Focus Bracketing and Stacking
  • Learn photography with Fujifilm, Using Focus Bracketing and Stacking

Focus bracketing moves the point of focus backwards, towards infinity. So, the first thing to do is focus on the nearest point you want to be sharp. It’s best to do this manually, with FOCUS PEAKING and FOCUS CHECK switched on to help.

Learn photography with Fujifilm, Unlock Advanced Focusing Features

It takes some experimentation to arrive at the perfect combination of settings, but the following considerations should help.

  • When the step between frames decreases, the number of frames required increases.
  • When the aperture gets smaller, the number of frames required decreases.
  • When subject magnification increases, the number of frames required increases.
  • When print/image size increases, the number of frames required increases.

When photographing macro scenes, try the following combination as a starting point: FRAMES 50, STEP 5, INTERVAL 0.

With the drive dial set to BKT, and the bracketing type set to Focus Bracketing, you’re ready to go. To avoid camera shake, release the shutter either with the camera’s two-second self-timer, with a wired remote release, or using the FUJIFILM Camera Remote app. The camera automatically captures the required number of frames, varying the focus distance as you go.

Stacking the Results in Photoshop

To begin combining your captured images, open them all up into Photoshop as different layers in a single document. Thankfully, there is a quick way to do this!

STEP 1 First, transfer the images to your camera using your normal method.
STEP 2 Next, open Photoshop and choose File > Scripts > Load Files into Stack. Then, in the dialogue box, find and select the images you want to import. Click Open and then OK. Photoshop will import each frame as a separate layer into a new document.

Learn photography with Fujifilm, Unlock Advanced Focusing Features

STEP 3 To focus stack the different layers, select them all (by clicking the first layer in the Layers palette and shift-clicking the last one), then select Edit > Auto-Align Layers. Choose the Auto option and click OK. Depending on the number of image files and the speed of your computer, this may take some time.

Learn photography with Fujifilm, Unlock Advanced Focusing Features

STEP 4 Now, go back to the Edit menu and choose Auto-Blend Layers. Choose the Stack Images option and click OK. Again, this may take a while depending on your computer and the number of images you’re working with.

Learn photography with Fujifilm, Unlock Advanced Focusing Features

STEP 5  You might notice a few little glitches caused by the merging process, but hopefully not too many. You can usually fix these by flattening the image (Layer > Flatten Image) and using the clone stamp and healing brush tools.

  • Learn photography with Fujifilm, Unlock Advanced Focusing Features Without focusing stacking
  • Learn photography with Fujifilm, Unlock Advanced Focusing Features Final stacked image

Your Next Steps

    •  CHALLENGE Focus stacking can add a whole new dimension to your macro photography. Find an everyday object and photograph it up close and personal, using focus stacking for pin-sharp results. Post your favorite image to social media with the hashtag #MyFujifilmLegacy and #focusstacking. You can also submit your work here for a chance to be featured on our social media channels.
    • LEARN Discover more about macro photography by downloading our booklet: Shoot Macro to Reveal a Hidden World with FUJIFILM X Series
    • WATCH Check out our video below to learn more about macro photography!