Creating stacked photos

[inquisitive_chap]

My camera doesn't create stacked photos; rather I can use Focus bracketing to create the series of 8 shots and then use software to stack.

I appreciate many on here will have better cameras that do all this in body. But I used Google Gemini (similar to ChatGPT) to identify some free software to do this. One option is the OM Workspace software that came with my camera. But it also explained that there was some other software called Hugin used by pros, that could be used with GIMP (supported by a plugin called G'MIC). Because this software can be difficult to use, I then used Gemini to create me some step by step instructions on how to take the photos and use the software (which I slightly edited for readability)

I looked at this as I have Lightroom but I don't have Photoshop (which I assume does photo stacking amazingly)

I haven't tried following the instructions yet. But in case useful, the instructions are here

I will update the link if I find edits are needed

 

[LCPete]

Affinity Photo is excellent for image stacking and its now available free

 

[inquisitive_chap]

Oh, thank you. I will have to look into that. I have only just been reading up on Macro photograpy so completely new

 

[Adamcski]

I use affinity for stacking even though I have the Adobe subscription. I find it typical produces better results

 

[inquisitive_chap]

Have just downloaded and had a look. It looks fab. Thanks for the tip

I think I will still use lightroom to get the white balance etc right first. Then export them as TIFFs. Then use Affinity for the stacking

 

[LCPete]

I use affinity for stacking even though I have the Adobe subscription. I find it typical produces better results

Thats what i found

 

[inquisitive_chap]

Is the free Affinity in effect a complete replacement for something like Gimp?

 

[Gav.]

Is the free Affinity in effect a complete replacement for something like Gimp?

I've not used Gimp, but I use V2 Affinity, the new Affinity Studio is the same but now free and should be more than capable of replacing Gimp.

 

[myotis]

Is the free Affinity in effect a complete replacement for something like Gimp?

I don't know much about Gimp, but except for specialised users, the Affinity suite (now rolled into one application by Canva) seems to be considered a good replacement for Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator. The new Canva version has everything the old Affinity Suite offered (plus a bit more)

It's often recommended on Capture One forums where people have ditched Photoshop (as that was the only Adobe product they used) for Affinity.

 

[Rincewind]

As my old subscription has ended and the monthly cost has gone up 50% I will be ditching Photoshop / Lightroom for Afinity in the new year, now retired I cannot justify the cost anymore.