How to Focus Stack Images in Photoshop

Feel free to download the two images below and try it for yourself.

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From Photoshop, click File - Scripts - Load Image into Stack

Click Browse to select the images. Then check Attempt to Align Images.

Click on a layer to select it, then Control or Command Click on the second layer to select it as well.

Click on Edit - Auto Blend Layers

Click on Stack Images and check Seamless Tones and Colors.

A $4000 Image!

Why is this image so expensive, because right after I took it, disaster struck.  I found this great scene and I was working it for all it was worth.  I had that great swirl in the water and some fantastic fall color in the background.  I decided that the image could be even better if I used a polarizer to remove some glare from the leaves and water.  Photographically this was a great decision but it caused me to fight with the filter holder which caused me to unlatch the tripod head.  Then I got my shot, but I forgot about the tripod head and when a picked up my tripod a heard a big splash.  My Canon 5D M IV and my Canon 17-40 mm lens were completely submerged.  I was able to retrieve them and I tried to dry it out and I sent it to Canon and they were both a complete loss.  Luckily the memory cards survived and I was able to get the images and my insurance should pay for most of the loss and as it turns out this image won second place in my camera club, so I guess it was all worth it in the end. 

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Webinar Replay: Landscape Photography with Marion Faria

If you missed Monday night's webinar on Landscape photography you really should watch the re-play.  Marion gave us tons of great photography and Photoshop tips.  You can find it at the link below.

http://www.morethanasnapshot.com/marion-faria

Click on the image above to sign up for my free e-mail photography course.

Free Live Webinar: Improving Landscape Compositions with Marion Faria

Please click on the Image to Register!

6 Tips to Improve Your Landscape Images

Guest blog post by Marion Faria

Guest Blogger Marion Faria

I am a passionate and quirky photographer concentrating primarily on landscape photography.  My images have been printed in NANPA Expressions magazine. The image of The Road to Fitzroy was the cover image for Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel" 2015 book.  I have won numerous Spider, black and white awards, also, images of the day at earthshots.com, Shutterbug Magazine and Bing. Finalist for image of the month at Popular Photography.  My stock images are represented by Getty Images.  http://marionfariaphotography.com/

1. The "rule of thirds", which almost every photographer has heard about, can work most of the time.  If you are struggling with composition, it would be wise to use this as a starting point until you are more confident. It is based upon the Golden Mean which was used by painters for many centuries as a guide to composition.

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The image above demonstrates the use of the "rule of thirds"...it is beneficial to a composition to place a major subject on one of the crossed lines.  

2. The composition of landscapes can be improved by using certain graphic elements.  Some elements draw the eye into an image, others add strength and tension to an image...it is important to recognize graphically what is in your composition.

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The illustration above gives you an idea of the elements that can improve an image.

3. As a landscape photographer, I shoot almost entirely in Aperture Priority, switching to Manual as needed, which isn't very often, usually as night approaches.

4. When shooting landscapes, you want to use the lowest native ISO for your camera, mine is 100, some are 200.  Using a low ISO is important for helping to avoid excess noise in an image.  Using too much noise reduction can diminish the quality of an image.

5. Compose vertically as well as horizontally; it gives you another option and can improve a composition.

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Lake Louise, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada

6.  Of course the most important thing of all, in landscape photography!  Wait for the best light.  The light is what will elevate an image from ordinary to extraordinary. Notice the difference between images 4 and 5.  In image 4 the light is dramatic, as is the sky; in image 5, the light is good on the mountain peak but flat everywhere else.

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Canadian Rockies, near Banff

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Mount Rundle from Vermillion Lake, Banff National Park