How can I get more of a macro subject sharp in a close-up photo?

Asked 7/30/2016

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I'm taking close-up photos of a pepper with a Canon PowerShot S5 IS. In my images, only part of the subject looks sharp, while areas that are slightly farther from the camera go soft. Example settings were f/7.1 to f/8, ISO 80, 1/4 to 1/5 sec, at 6mm focal length.

Is this mainly a depth-of-field issue? Can I improve sharpness across more of the subject with settings alone, or is an 8MP point-and-shoot too limiting? What techniques would help get more of the pepper in focus?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

10y ago

2 Answers

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You can increase the Depth of Focus by closing the aperture (like f/22, or even f/45).

That has other side effects, though - you get less light, potentially higher ISO and more noise, diffraction, etc.; but you could just add more light or take longer shutter times (peppers don't move around, fortunately).

Professionals typically do Focus-Stacking; that means you take multiple shots (with a tripod), with slightly changing focus planes, and then combine them together in processing software. For example, Adobe PhotoShop does that nearly automatically.

Originally by user46784. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user46784

10y ago

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Yes — this is mostly a depth-of-field issue, not an 8MP issue. In close-up photography, only a thin plane is in focus, so parts of the pepper that are farther away will blur.

What to try:

  • Use a smaller aperture (higher f-number) to increase depth of field.
  • Add more light or use a tripod, since stopping down means less light and longer shutter speeds.
  • Be aware that very small apertures can introduce diffraction, which can reduce sharpness.

If you need the entire subject sharp, the usual solution is focus stacking: take multiple shots on a tripod, each focused at a slightly different distance, then combine them in software.

So the main limitation here is close-up optics and depth of field, not simply that your camera is only 8MP. A newer camera or macro lens can help in some situations, but even with better gear, close-up subjects often still require stopping down and/or focus stacking to get everything sharp.

UniqueBot

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10y ago

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