Humayunn's Blog

Focus Stacking

Humayunn Peerzaada — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 08:05:58 +0000

Multiple images taken at different focus distances to give a resulting image is called the Focus Stacking (bracketing) technique.

Focus Stacking is shooting several shots of one subject thn combine thm together … but the difference between each shot is where we have focus point on the object .. why we need it … u know in product photography .. in jewelery photography .. its very important to get the whole subject in focus .. usually we just close the aperture .. close it down to increase depths of field but its not possible sometime to get whole thing focussed plus defraction works against us … depends on the lens .. there is a limit v can close aperture but still getting nice quality images .. after tht limit the thing get blurry, losing the contrast and lose details so thts where focus stacking can help us

there r two ways to move focus through the object .. one which is not right
1. to change focusing point by adjusting the lens focus

but the correct way to do it
2. to move camera towards the subject or backward depends upon the focuses to move focusing point … but for tht one need a ‘macro focussing rail’ which helps smal adjustments moving through the camera with the subject.

Adobe PS .. FILE – AUTOMATE – PHOTOMERGE – browse ur files -
unselect ‘blend images together’ then let all the pics get assimilated into one .. OK

after some 20 to 30 mnts a file will be generated …

thn select all .. go to edit and Auto blend images … then select ‘stack images’
PS stiches them and makes one single pic where every area of the subject is crisp and sharp …

As per how many photos u hv clicked and u want to stack .. stackiing will accordingly takes its own sweet time .. in some cases .. it takes around 4 to 5 hours .. grt danger of PS even crashing down if ur machine is not sturdy enough to takes immence stacking pressures.

I have MAC and maximum stacking I have done is of 89 images.

Koch Messer/Schinken Messer Knives Multiple images (89 images for this photograph) taken at different focus distances to give this resulting image using the Focus Stacking (bracketing) technique. Focus Stacking is shooting several shots of one subject thn combine thm together … but the difference between each shot is where we have focus point on the object .. why we need it … in product photography .. in jewelery photography .. its very important to get the whole subject in focus .. usually we just close the aperture .. close it down to increase depths of field but its not possible sometime to get whole thing focussed plus defraction works against us … depends on the lens .. there is a limit v can close aperture but still getting nice quality images .. after tht limit the thing get blurry, losing the contrast and lose details so thts where focus stacking can help us there r two ways to move focus through the object .. one which is not right 1. to change focusing point by adjusting the lens focus but the correct way to do it 2. to move camera towards the subject or backward depends upon the focuses to move focusing point … but for tht one need a ‘macro focussing rail’ which helps smal adjustments moving through the camera with the subject at this point dont hv the ‘macro focusing rail’ so i use the first option so in the pic above i shot 89 frames of the knives and sharpner focussing on each area of the objects .. then took all the pic on Adobe Bridge .. select all .. thn to tools in PS .. click photo emerge … and thn select all layers .. click Auto … unselect ‘blend images together’ then all the pics get assimilated into one .. select all .. go to edit and Auto blend images … then select ‘stack images’ PS stiches them and makes one single pic where every area of the object ie knives and sharpner is crisp and sharp … I shot 89 shots to get xtra details and resolutions by which every tiny details is in focus. Exif data: CameraNikon D90 Exposure: 0.033 sec (1/30) Aperture: f/3.0 Focal Length: 100 mm ISO Speed: 100 Disclaimer: This shot is part of my test/experiments with product photography/table top photography. This is not any endorsement of any product(s). I wasn’t commissioned by the company which owns this product or by any agency to shoot. This should not be used for any commercial / non-commercial use. This is purely for my portfolio.

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YOU ME

the above pic is Focus stacked image where 42 images have been stacked together to make this one photograph

(but without the High Pass Process … sharpness .. cleaning and the post card texture …. totally raw single image focus stacked from 42 images)

every single image from the above 42 images went through this setting
Exposure 0.01 sec (1/100)
Aperture f/3.8
Focal Length 100 mm
ISO Speed 100

and they were all shot in a Soft Box Tent @ SB 600 bare @ 24 mm @ camera next/left hitting the ceiling @ roughly around 6 feet @ Triggered with on-camera Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and a FlexTT5 on each flash with Shot with Nikon D90/Tokina 100mm Macro f2.8 lens.

Now if u see just one pic below … which is RAW Single image shot on F11 …

U will see the DIFFERENCE – focus point being the nib of the blue ball ballpoint … u can see see tht even on F11 not only the down part blue ballpoint has gone blur but also ‘you’ ‘me’ and the red pen have gone blur

Exposure 3
Aperture f/11.0
Focal Length 100 mm
ISO Speed 100

the Final Image with high pass process, cleaning, sharpening and post card texture @ Focus stacking of 42 images resulting in one final image.

Shot in a Soft Box Tent @ SB 600 bare @ 24 mm @ camera next/left hitting the ceiling @ roughly around 6 feet @ Triggered with on-camera Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and a FlexTT5 on each flash. Shot with Nikon D90/Tokina 100mm Macro f2.8 lens.

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I LOVE YOU
totally RAW unprocessed single file … shot on F11 …. focus point being the Alpha ‘I’ …. compare this pic with the one which is below and which is focus stacked …. here the focus being on letter ‘I’ and all the other areas hv become blur ….. unlike in the final pic which is focus stacked with 31 pics .. aperture being the same F11 but series of 31 pics where each each area of of the caps, alphas, nibs and the body of the pen being focussed .. when merged it gives the final image which is below

Focus stacking of 31 images resulting in one final image
SB 600 @ 24mm @ right of camera @ hitting the wall @ Triggered with on-camera Pocket Wizard MiniTT1 and a FlexTT5 on each flash.
Shot with Nikon D90/Tokina 100mm Macro f2.8 lens.

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Steve McCurry – The Legendary Photographer

Humayunn Peerzaada — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 18:30:34 +0000

Zindagi mein tasveerein aur tasveeron mein zindagi dekhna ho to Steve McCurry’s ka blog dekhein.
In life if you want to see photographs and in photographs if you want to see life thn one should visit Steve McCurry’s blog. stevemccurry.wordpress.com/
His photographs makes me smile, makes me cry, makes me ponder, makes me think, makes me wonder, makes me jealous & makes me unlearn everything. I m so fortunate to have met this Legend & stand next to him. When I met him I didn’t knew the stature he carries & neither i had seen much of his work except ‘ Afghan Girl’ pic. With each passing day .. with seeing each of his photographs .. I am zapped & I wonder what makes this man tick and gets to click such wonderful moments. I dont see technique there .. what i see is his love, his passion, his hard work, his zest to get a frame which speaks volumes in many levels of emotions.
Dont know if one can learn photography seeing anyone’s work .. but yes one thing which one can learn and imbibe seeing his work is Passion.
Thank’s Steve for making me more passionate in the passion I follow.

A BIG THANK U TO ALL

Humayunn Peerzaada — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 18:44:37 +0000

I thank all my friends on Facebook, flickr.com, youtube, wordpress and Skyscrapercity.com for appreciating my work as a model and as a photographer and showering me with such favorable comments on my photographs and videos .. the comments make me feel happy, keep me inspired and motivate me to continue clicking Mumbai and India the way I feel and want to. Love u all.

Removal of flash reflection from ‘glass subject’ through Healing Brush/Clone Stamp Tool. Part 1 & 2

Humayunn Peerzaada — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 20:05:43 +0000

Removal of flash reflection from glass subject through Healing Brush/Clone Stamp Tool.

Took me 2 hours 10 mnts to do the entire process. Time lapsed the entire process and made into 19 minutes 28 seconds. Here are both PART 1 & 2.

Final photograph:

Kalam-e-Ameer Khusrau – “Zihale miskin makun taghaful” by Humayun Peerzada

Humayunn Peerzaada — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:21:08 +0000

I was touched by this poem .. the thought which this poem expresses is universal and everyone can connect with it .. so just thought to record it in my voice and share it with friends and well wishers.

14 March to 18th March 2009

Humayunn Peerzaada — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 20:35:09 +0000

14 March to 18th March 2009 were the most harrowing days for my mother and for the entire family.
She use to see a imaginary visual .. the visual use to make fun of her .. it started when she use to say that there is someone at the door .. making fun of her .. sometime it was in human form .. sometime in shape of animals be it goat .. monkey .. and sometime even snake .. many time a times it use to take the shape of an old woman .. old man .. kids crying .. most of it happened during nights after the lights went off .. it used to get triggered at around 1.45 (i m being precise) and went up to 5 in the morning .. as days passed .. she use to see that visual climbing here and there .. flying in and around her .. the turmoil which she went through in her mind .. fighting that imaginary visual .. there were nights when i have sat through having my hands stretched out with blanket to prevent her from seeing the visual .. but her visual was so strong .. she could see through that visual even through me ..
When this ailment hit her .. we knew nothing about the actual medical name of this disease .. we tried all sorts of remedy .. religious … homeopathic .. but her condition remained same .. three years passed without either we knowing or anybody telling us that these were the symptoms of a disease called Dementia.
There are different forms of Dementia but what Mom is suffering is called ‘Vascular Dementia’.
Her conditions day in and day out kept worsening .. her fears increasing .. her visual taking enormous form .. we kids and relatives didn’t know to cope with this situation .. as a son my heart sank as the lights went off as my thoughts were that now my moms fight with that demon will start and she will have to do that all alone without me or anyone supporting her or helping her in that lone battle of hers.
For 3 years every night exactly at 1.45 without fail .. she use to scream Humayun .. and i knew her time for battle has started .. sometime I went into her room .. sometime i didn’t .. kept working on my photographs .. listening everything which she use to speak to that Demon or visual .. sometime pestering him/her to go away .. many a time commanding him to leave .. I have also seen her pleading with folded hands speaking to someone on the chair next to her bed to “please stop harassing me .. pls go away”.
But every night she lost that battle and tht FKNG visual didn’t allow her to sleep .. not even a wink.
A day came – 14th March .. when all this got worsened … that day she realized that it’s either that visual or her .. either she defeats him or she gets defeated.
And she started to shout and kept on shouting on top of her voice for 3 days and night continuously without stopping even for a minute or a second.
My friends when i write this and I am not exaggerating .. she screamed non stop for 3 days and nights .. without food or water.
She threw her medicines .. yelled and gave bad words to one and all in our house .. that we are unable to control that visual and kicking him out of the house.
She asked for hot water to pour that onto that visual .. asking for a stick so that she can beat .. or a knife to kill him …
Her visual was so strong .. like human form .. right in front of her ..
For us it was just a visual but for my mom it was not a visual but a human form .. walking talking like anyone.
On all these 3 days .. we shut of all windows so that her voice shouldn’t disturb our neighbor’s and society.
My younger doter was in her 10th standard .. going through all this .. don’t know how she studied and secured 82 percent.
Her shouts and shrieks were so loud that people from neighboring buildings were popping their heads to know where the shouts are coming from.
In this mayhem .. someone suggested that we should without wasting any time seek a psychiatrist help and we contacted Dr. Sushil Nanaware.

On 18th of March .. Dr Sushil Nanaware walked into our house .. he walked in and the visual walked out. For us the worst got over when he entered our house like an angel.
I can never ever forget that day and that sight ever .. my mother shouting .. totally uncontrollable .. not wanting Doc and his boys come any near her .. Doc and his team had no option but tying her hands and legs to control her and taking her in the ambulance .. my family members and myself crying on the way my mother is being taken …

She was there in Dr. Sushil’s care for 2 weeks in the nursing home .. series of tests and medication followed .. today … exactly a year has passed without she seeing any visuals .. she sleeps peacefully .. she has become her old self .. no battle to fight with any demons in the night .. no more shouts and screams .. my mother is cured .. she is hale and hearty .. she laughs and smiles like old times .. One year of bliss, happiness and peace for all of us.
Allah has been kind to her and to us .. Allah bless Doc Sushil .. he is an angel in disguise ..
Hello Doc .. when I write this blog .. i have tears in my eyes … duas on my lips for you for what you have done for my mom .. for me and for my family.
My entire family prays for you always .. thanks .. abhar .. shukriya Doc Sushil for curing her.
Friends .. what we went through .. no one should .. God forbid but if u see any such traits in any near and dear once .. don’t waste time like how we did ..
Head straight to a phychiatrist.
Dementia can be cured .. albeit partially .. but can be .. with Doctors like Sushil Nanaware around .. Dementia can go to hell.

Dementia

Smoking Kills

Humayunn Peerzaada — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 05:55:33 +0000

Smoking Kills

Inspired by a time lapsed short I had seen, I thought it would be nice if i can try making a time lapsed film on anti-smoking myself.
Made my room into a small studio by setting up black acrylic .. bought some cigarette packs .. readied my sturdy Nikon D90 .. lits by home purpose handy tubelight.
A non smoker, I puffed some 6 packs of cigarette to film this anti-smoking short.
Curious .. why 6 packs???
Firstly I shot 2 versions .. one against white background and one against black also I wasn’t getting the fall in the direction I wanted.
I wont discuss the after effects of smoking on me over here .. thats for some other time.
A raw cigarette takes roughly 17 minutes to turn to ash .. the one in the film took 11 minutes .. time lapsed 11 minutes into 25 seconds.
I hope the message comes across.
And please please please quit smoking.

Please view with sound and click the ‘Watch in HD’ red icon on the youtube screen panel and view the video in High Definition crystal clear visual.

seems like I will get addicted to cigarette soon …

Humayunn Peerzaada — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 07:42:51 +0000

I keep shooting on and off on the issues which worry the public. This time on the evils of cigarette smoking. I have visualized the burnt cigarette to fall in a particular direction but which is not happening and from past 2 days I must have inhaled at least 2 packs of cigarettes and i m still far from the getting my shot right. If things work out right, my visualization will be justified or I will end up being addicted to the CIGARETTE.

Merry Christmas & Happy 2010

Humayunn Peerzaada — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 20:22:10 +0000

Merry Christmas & Happy 2010

Merry Christmas and Happy 2010 to all my friends on flickr, youtube, facebook, twitter, my blog on wordpress and on my website www.humayoon.com.

Love you all … Humayunn Niaz Ahmed Peerzaada.

Shot by: Babul Bhatt.
www.flickr.com/photos/babulbhatt/

Texture Courtesy:
Bokeh Flash:
www.flickr.com/photos/8078381@N03/4208435608/

fuji pro 160c diacord frame:
www.flickr.com/photos/nesster/2811119224/

Santa Cap:
Found on Google.

Humayunn Peerzaada — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:17:17 +0000

Imambara, Hooghly, Kolkata, West Bengal – India