Combining exposure

In macro photography, it's really hard to get the subject in focus. The trick is to combine several different focus to 1 image. That process call stacking. We need to use tripod for best result and also the object has to be perfectly still, for example a flower. :)

Below is a macro image that I've stacked from 3 different images.

Here are the 3 original images

Here is an article regarding stack focus in Photoshop
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-focus-stack-macro-images-using-photoshop/

Retouching: Before and After

Before

 

My friend, Tamar ( http://tamarmartinez.com/ ) and I were experimenting with 3 studio lights. Tamar is a talented professional photographer that help me in advancing my photography skill. He did all the lighting and some of the shoots when my arm got tired :P

After

I did a lot of adjusting in Photoshop. Some area around the top of the head still need more work.

 

Before

 

above is raw shoot 

After

 

I will do more before and after next time. The right lighting, the set and post production are very important. 

Any tips, comments, new ideas are welcome. Also you can share what you have. :p

Here are links for Canon 6D camera and 100mm macro lens I've used. Enjoy!
 

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-100mm-Macro-Digital-Cameras/dp/B002NEGTSI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1438323850&sr=8-1&keywords=canon+100mm+macro

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-20-2-Digital-Camera-3-0-Inch/dp/B009B0MZ8U/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1438323971&sr=1-1&keywords=canon+6d