In astrophotography, it is common to work with wide apertures. This lets the camera draw in more light in less time. However, doing so also reduces the depth of field drastically. The foreground elements thus appear out of focus. This is why astrophotographers need to focus stack quite a lot. In today’s video, astrophotographer Alyn Wallace shows you how you can maximize your depth of field and focus stack during the night:
If you believe in getting most of the things right in your camera, it is worth understanding the concept of hyperfocal distance.
With the lens focused at the right distance at a certain aperture and focal length, you can maximize your depth of field. The resulting image is thus sharp from front to back. Wallace, in the video, beautifully explains how you can do just that.
An alternative is to use the focus-stacking technique. When focus stacking, you take multiple images, focusing each image at different planes and later blending those into a single image using photo-editing software. The results are sharp.
When shooting in the dark, it can be quite tricky to judge whether or not things are in focus. Wallace shares a couple of tips you can use to overcome this challenge.
Also in the video, Wallace shares how you can use Photoshop to merge the different layers for a clear picture. He also shows you how you can work with layer masks to get the best results.
If you’re an astrophotographer struggling to get a sharp foreground, we highly recommend that you watch the video. The tips and techniques that Wallace shares will help you a lot.
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