Macro focus stacking

[judenoypi]

HI guys I took this photo using my macro lens ,4 shots different focus and stack it using CS4 ,I need some advice how to improve my macro focus stacking ability because its seems really im well interested,and just wondering hows my photo, need your critics and advice.Thanks:

[Christian Michael]

Nice Color, sharp subject, I think it turned out well!

[wulf]

I didn't look at it and think "Ah, an artificial result with focus stacking...". In fact, looking at the large version, I couldn't detect much hint of stacking at all as plenty of the bloom was still out of focus. What was the depth of field like for the individual shots?

Wulf

[drprasannabhat]

may be it needs more DOF...? Not that expert...just my thought...

[judenoypi]

HI guys, yeah i think your right Wulf,plenty of it is out of focus,actually I used f2.8 all four shots,and do you think whats the best aperture i will be able to use to achieve perfect result.PRASANNA your right needs more DOF and CHRISTIAN , thanks for the complement

[wulf]

Normally a smaller aperture is used at macro ranges or, if you need a wide aperture to get enough light, you need to stack a lot more images.

BTW, we also suggest posting more details about the settings used when asking for critique, which gives a better foundation for technical advice (for example, sometimes people are using a wide aperture and an insanely fast shutter speed like 1/4000s... they can certainly afford to stop down several notches).

Wulf

[larrysch]

Normally a smaller aperture is used at macro ranges or, if you need a wide aperture to get enough light, you need to stack a lot more images.

I have to agree - its a great shot - but for macro I would like to see more detail. As stated above - 4 shots are not enough. I usuall use 8 at the very least and have used as many as 15.

Macro = detail.