I can give you the exact settings and methods to use for your specific workflow. Share public link
Scroll through your source files on the right list to find the exact frame where the problematic area is perfectly sharp and artifact-free.
Focus stacking is a critical technique for macro, landscape, and product photographers who need to overcome the physical limitations of camera lenses. When shooting at close distances or high magnifications, the depth of field becomes incredibly shallow. Even at narrow apertures like f/11 or f/16, only a tiny sliver of your subject remains in focus.
Helicon Focus is an incredibly powerful piece of software. While the basic workflow can be learned in minutes, true mastery comes from understanding its three algorithms and leveraging the retouching tools to solve complex photographic problems. helicon focus user guide
Method C breaks the images down into wavelets and frequencies, sorting them from deep to shallow layers.
Creates a continuous depth map to find the sharpest areas.
Helicon Focus offers three distinct internal processing algorithms: . Choosing the right method depends entirely on your subject matter. Method A (Average) I can give you the exact settings and
If you want to take your workflow to the next level or troubleshoot a specific issue, tell me:
This is your starting dashboard where you import, organize, and inspect your individual image slices.
Intricate textures, deep stacks, cross-sections, complex geometry. When shooting at close distances or high magnifications,
You have now completed the essential . The difference between a good focus stack and a great one is rarely the camera—it is the post-processing workflow.
If you need to shoot manually (for example, when capturing live insects that won't stay still), follow this procedure:
Helicon Focus is a proprietary commercial digital image processing tool developed and published by Helicon Soft Limited, first released in 2003. As of 2026, it remains one of the industry's leading solutions for depth-of-field extension. The core concept is simple yet powerful: you take a series of images of the same scene, each focused on a different part of the subject. Then, Helicon Focus analyzes these photos and intelligently blends the sharpest areas from each shot into a single, completely focused image.
Wait for the progress bar to complete. The result will appear in the window. 4. Understanding Rendering Methods (A, B, and C)