This article features a selection of HHFS flowers captured with the M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS zoom lens. Often when we think about handheld in-camera focus stacking (HHFS) when photographing flowers, using a macro lens come to mind… rather than a long telephoto zoom lens.
NOTE: Click on images to enlarge.
There are situations when we are out photographing flowers that we simply cannot get physically close enough to a subject blossom to use a macro lens.
This is when having a long telephoto zoom lens like the M.Zuiko 100-400 mm f/5-6.3 IS, which has a comparatively short minimum focusing distance, can come in handy.
Being able to achieve good magnification on a subject blossom from 1.3 metres away or more, delivers additional in-field flexibility for folks who enjoy flower photography.
Some blossoms have an incredible amount of detail that a photographer may want to capture, but not at the trade-off of having to stop their lens down to f/11 or f/16. These apertures can cause too much of the background to be in focus and hurt the subject separation in a composition. Image softness caused by diffraction can also be an issue.
Shooting a long telephoto lens wide open while using handheld in-camera focus stacking can be a practical solution in these types of situations.
We can achieve our desired depth-of-field while not negatively impacting the degree of subject separation in an image.
Flower photography, like other genres, is fundamentally about composition and light. We need to be able to see images in our minds, then determine how we can best use our available camera gear to bring those images to life.
Shooting angles, backgrounds, and colour contrast are also important considerations when photographing flowers.
Many photographers prefer to use a tripod when creating with in-camera focus stacking. I find this too restrictive and time consuming from a creative standpoint. My preference is always to shoot handheld.
Appreciating the need to create a stable platform when using handheld in-camera focus stacking, I always photograph flowers using a short stool. This allows me to quickly adjust my shooting angle, while still creating a stable platform.
As photographers we can sometimes fall into habitual shooting patterns, always using the same lens for the same subject matter.
Shaking things up a bit… by using a long telephoto lens with handheld in-camera focus stacking, can enable us to see subject matter with fresh perspectives. This can lead to us developing some different techniques with our available camera gear, and expanding our overall in-field flexibility.
Technical Note
Photographs were captured handheld with the camera equipment noted in the EXIF data. Handheld in-camera focus stacking was used to create all of the images in this article. Stacks of 10 images with a focus differential of 4 or 5 were used. All images were created from out-of-camera jpegs using my standard process in post. This is the 1,417 article published on this website since its original inception in 2015.
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Hi Tom,
Is there a reason why you use focus stacking rather than focus bracketing?
Jack
Hi Jack,
Focus stacking combines images in camera, while focus stacking requires work in post. Since I hate working in post, focus stacking is my preferred approach.
Tom
Hi Thomas many thanks for the advice I struggle with larger lenses (Neuropathy many years).
What monopod would be best for these type of flower shots?
Hi Mark,
I’m glad you enjoyed the article!
Since I haven’t used any kind of camera support in well over 5 years, I’m not the best person to ask about monopods since I have no idea what is currently available. After buying my Olympus kit I sold almost all of the camera supports I used to own, including video specific gear like my slider, skater dolly and jib.
I still have a couple of tripods and a monopod… just in case I need something down the road. The monopod I own is a Benro A48FD. I chose this model because it has three collapsible feet on its locking base which provide some additional stability. For small, light camera set-ups this can act as a mini tripod. It also features three snap-type extension locks as I much prefer these to twist locks. The Benro A48FD also can support up to 20 Kg (44.1 lbs.) which is helpful when using it with heavier gear. This monopod also extends to 64.6″ in height. It is important to get a tripod or monopod that extends high enough so it is comfortable to use for extended periods of time without the need to hunch down over it.
Tom
Thanks for the reply Thomas I am actually planning to get a mint condition EM1 X as I think it will be actually easier to hold with my lenses
Thanks so much for posting this. I just started doing this and now of course, in Maine not many flowers but now I am looking forward to next spring. I was thinking I was going to need to get a macro lens but I will wait and see as 95% of the time, I take bird photos using my OM-1 Mark II and 100-400 lens. I really enjoy your posts and will donate some $$ soon as I appreciate your candor reviews on stuff you actually own!
Hi John,
I’m glad this article was helpful for you. A dedicated macro lens does provide additional photographic capability, but not everyone needs to add this ‘specialty’ lens to their kit. As you experiment with your 100-400 you may want to push things even more. Adding the MC-14 or MC-20 will provide additional close-up effect. You can further shorten your minimum focusing distance with extension tubes.
Tom
thanks for the suggestions. Will look into extension tubes
Hi John,
Using extension tubes will cut light so that needs to be considered from an exposure standpoint. The other consideration when using extension tubes is that we are not able to focus to infinity. Some experimentation is needed to help establish the focusing range that will be available when using a specific lens with a specific length of extension tube.
Tom
Hi Thomas
I am impressed by the depth of field in some of the photos, compared to what you might have had if you had used a macro lens. In the opposite end of the scale, I like the limited depth of field in the ‘title’ photo very much. I find that the slightly blurry petals in the background, makes for a very natural look.
Yours, Olaf
Thanks Olaf, I’m glad you enjoyed the images!
Tom
Tom,
Great photos.
How do you get such dark backgrounds without a flash?
Hi Jonathan,
When possible I choose blossoms in very harsh, bright sunlight… and up against a dark background. Then I purposely underexpose the image by 2-4 stops to blacken the background. Part of my process in post is to use a very old copy of PhotoShop (CS6) that has a white slider. I find this works really well in post to brighten up the flower petals but not affect the darkness of the background.
Tom