Focus Stacking

Camera set up

TK

Lightroom to Photoshop

• Select the photos to be stacked in the Lightroom Library.
• Photo > Edit In > Open as Layers in Photoshop...
• Select all the layers in the Photoshop Layers palette.
• (Optional) Edit > Auto-align layers...
  • Select Reposition
  • This step isn't necessary when using a rail while taking the photos.
• Edit > Auto-blend layers...
  • Stack Images selected
  • Seamless tones and colors unchecked
    • Applying this setting causes problems if you go in after and make adjustments because Photoshop will color-correct portions of the individual layers, which will stand out if the masks that Photoshop creates are altered.
  • Content aware fill transparent areas unchecked
    • (Actually not sure if this is a desirable setting, or if it has any effect; needs more research.)
  • Photoshop creates a new layer with the merged stack image above all the other layers. The other layers have masks applied to them. In effect, the new merged layer and the combined original layers look the same.
• (Optional) Merge the layers and/or delete the masked layers.
• Close and save the image in Photoshop.
  • The image is automatically added back into the Lightroom library.

• Photoshop Help / Combine images with Auto-Blend Layers (Adobe.com)