Lessons from My First Focus Merge: A Journey from 65mm to 65 Metres

Beach Focus Stack

As a photographer, there’s always something new to learn. Recently, I embarked on my first attempt at focus merging, combining 11 bracketed shots taken at varying focal points to create a seamless image. While the process was a “quick and easy” experiment, it was an enlightening experience that taught me valuable lessons about the technique—and its challenges.

Beach Focus Stacking
Beach Focus Stacking

Focus merging is a technique that involves capturing multiple images at different focal points and blending them into one to achieve sharpness across the depth of the field. While my camera allowed me to bracket 11 focal lengths automatically, I quickly realized that not all frames would make the cut.

  • Beach Focus Stack

The Setup: Experimenting with Focus

For this attempt, I shot handheld using the following settings:

  • ISO: 100
  • Aperture: f/7.1
  • Shutter Speed: 1/320 second
  • Focal Points: Ranging from 65mm (foreground) to approximately 65 metres (background) in the chosen two images.

The Challenges of Moving Subjects

One of the most critical lessons I learned was the importance of controlling movement within the scene. Focus merging works best when the subjects remain static—an aspect I underestimated in my first attempt. Elements like water ripples and even people walking in the background introduced inconsistencies that became evident in the final merge. These movements made it impossible to align and blend all 11 frames successfully, leading me to discard most of the shots.

In the end, only two frames—one focused on the foreground at 65mm and another on a distant subject at approximately 65 metres—were usable. Despite this, the resulting image was a satisfying demonstration of the creative potential of focus merging.

Workflow: Tools for Success

Even with the challenges, the post-production process was where the real magic happened. Here’s the workflow I followed:

  1. Bracketing Shots in-Camera:
    My camera’s focus bracketing feature allowed me to capture 11 focal points quickly. While many were discarded, the process gave me insight into how focus merging might handle more controlled scenes in the future.
  2. Initial Edits in DxO PhotoLab:
    Each frame was optimized with lens corrections and noise reduction to ensure consistency in color and sharpness before merging. This step is essential for creating a unified final image.
  3. Focus Merging in Affinity Photo:
    Using Affinity Photo’s “Focus Merge” feature, I combined the two remaining frames. The software’s alignment tools helped manage slight inconsistencies caused by handheld shooting.
  4. Final Adjustments:
    Post-merge, I refined the image with contrast adjustments and selective sharpening to enhance the foreground and background detail.

Lessons Learned

  1. Keep the Scene Static:
    Moving subjects like water or people can disrupt the merging process. For future attempts, I’ll prioritize static environments or use shorter exposure times for dynamic scenes.
  2. Be Selective with Shots:
    While bracketing offers many focal points to work with, not every shot will be useful. Choosing the most complementary frames is key to creating a cohesive final image.
  3. Use a Tripod for Precision:
    Handheld focus merging is possible, but a tripod can make alignment easier, especially at longer focal lengths.

Conclusion: A Humbling Start

My first focus merge may not have been perfect, but it was a rewarding experiment. It showed me the potential of the technique while highlighting areas for improvement. Focus merging is a powerful tool for achieving sharpness across varying depths, but it requires careful planning and a controlled environment to succeed.

As I look ahead to my next attempt, I’ll take these lessons with me. For now, this image serves as a reminder that every misstep is a step forward in mastering a craft.

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