Create focus-stacked panoramas

SHOOT INSECT IN SEGMENTS, CREATE STACKS FOR EACH, THEN MERGE INTO A PANO

1 Stack the sequence

We used Helicon focus to combine our focus stack sequence (there’s a free 30-day trial that anyone can use). We simply dragged our sequence in then chose one of the three stacking methods and hit render, then saved the image. We created one stack for the head, and a second for the abdomen.

2 Merge to a panorama

If we treat the insect like a panorama by shooting it in segments then we can use Photoshop’s panorama stitching features to combine our stacked images together. Open Photoshop and go to File>automate> Photomerge and load in the stacked photographs to stitch them together.

3 Retouch distractions 3

No matter how diligently you clean them, insects are likely to be covered in dust and other distractions. So we need to spend time retouching these unwanted details. Open the picture into Photoshop then use the Spot Healing Brush tool to remove small spots and marks.