Focus Stacking in Product Photography Explained:

A series of images are shot at different focal points (focal depths) then stacked over top of one another to create a master image. The good ‘in focus’ parts of each image shot during the capture process are essentially cut and the sum of these image portions are combined on a single frame to create the output – a fully in focus image. The Focus Stacking plugin for Shutter Stream & Shutter Stream 360 Product Photography Software automates this process by automating the image capture stack (capturing multiple images at different focal points) and the processing (cutting and combining images to create a single fully in focus image).

The Iconasys Focus Stacking Plugin is designed for use with both:

• Shutter Stream Product Photography Software (purchased separately)
• Shutter Stream 360 Product Photography Software (purchased separately)
• Shutter Stream 360 Product Photography + Video Software (purchased separately)

The plugin allows users to automate Focus Stacking photography image capture and image processing in both still and 360 Product Photography. Users simply define near and far point and the number of frames to be captured in the stack. Users also can define Focus Stack Render Settings (Method, Radius & Smoothing) The software then will automate the image capture process. When using the Focus Stacking plugin, have the ability to output:

1. Individual Image Set (each image shot at different focal depths)
2. Individual Image Set + Focus Stacked Image (compose focus stacked image set into a single image)
3. Focus Stacked Image Only

The plugin is designed to be user friendly and allows users to create professional quality, focus stacked results in just seconds!

Important Considerations when Focus Stacking in a 360 Product Photography:

1. When shooting product photography with focus stacking, the image capture workflow becomes a lot more time consuming. Typically, capturing 36 product images (1 capture every 10 degrees) takes about 1-2 minutes pending what turntable is being used. When shooting a focus stacked 360 product image, the process time is amplified in the capture process, becoming a lot more time consuming. For example, a 360 view with 36 frames typically takes about 1.5 minutes to shoot. Think in the case, shooting a 360 view composed of 36 frames with each frame being composed of 5 focus stacked images – that’s a total of 180 frames captured. In addition, the computer processing time (stacking X images into a single image) adds to the overall process time. While the 360 Product Photography with Focus Stacking process is entirely automated, users should expect a significant time increase in the 360 product imaging workflow when using Focus Stacking.
2. When controlling focus stacking using the lens mechanics (adjusting focal point on the camera lens through any software) there will be cases of ‘focus drifting’. This is caused by imprecise measurements/movements of the cameras focal distance (ex. focal point adjustment is off by a fraction of a millimeter, as you shoot a large number of frames (ex. >36 frames), this small increment gets magnified and can cause issues in the final 360 result).
3. If shooting with your camera tilted at a downward angle (ex. 25-degrees or greater), you may experience ‘lens creep’. This is more common in heavier lenses and is caused by small vibrations (ex. the mirror & shutter opening and closing) assisting gravity to ever so slightly adjust (pull) the lens’ focusing element. Pending lens being used, a lens band (ex. elastic or tape) can provide a direct mechanical link between the focusing ring and the focusing elements to help prevent movement of the lens elements. We also include features in the software such as ‘Leave Live View on After Capture’ to help minimize the amount of movement in the camera.