If you’re looking for a way to optimize the range of focus throughout an image the tutorial below explains the best way to get the job done, and it works for just about any type of photos you make. We refer to this technique as “bracket and stack it” and it’s not difficult to do.

In simple terms this involves shooting multiple images of the same scene, each with a different point of focus point. For landscape photography this might mean one shot focused on the background, another on a key foreground object, and a third with the focus point somewhere in between. British macro photographer Stewart Wood explains everything you need to know.

For this method to work there are two things you need to understand: The first is how to bracket the photos properly in the camera, and the second involves properly merging them during the editing process to achieve one super-sharp image. This episode is devoted to the first part of the equation, and you can learn more about the stacking procedure by watching an earlier tutorial we posted from a wildlife photography expert.

Because of Wood’s specialty his demonstration uses a close-up image, but it’s easy to extrapolate and employ this method with various types of images. In fact, experienced landscape shooters do it all the time. You can use autofocus or manual focus to capture the sequence of photos, and Wood explains the best way to do this, so you’ll be set up for stacking success.

One key to this technique has to do with your subject; specifically, it has to remain perfectly still while you shoot the sequence—as even the slight bit of movement will spoil your results. This not only applies for macro shots of insects, but for landscape images with wind-blown trees.

Gear is important too. Some cameras offer a built-in Focus Stacking and Bracketing mode, but that’s not essential for getting the job done. As you’ll see, what is important is the speed of your camera. And if you use flash for shooting macro images, recycle time is another key concern. With regard to bracketing and stacking macro photos Wood says that “a flash is your best friend.”

Wood has cameras that offer both Focus Stacking and Bracketing modes, and he explains how to take advantage of these. He then discusses how to accomplish the technique yourself if the camera you use lacks these features. You’ll also learn how to configure a flash if that’s part of your approach.

The first thing to do if your camera lacks bracketing and stacking capabilities is to switch the mode dial to Manual. Then you can follow the advice Wood provides for choosing the proper settings for the particular task at hand. Now that you’re properly set up you can follow his step-by-step procedures for capturing the shots.

Once you’re done watching be sure to check out the tutorial mentioned above so you’ll know how to properly stack the photos for eye-popping results.

Photoshop is such a robust package that it’s almost impossible to understand everything it can do. Most photographers understand the basics, and others take things further, but there’s still a lot going on under the hood that’s unfamiliar to us all.

The quick tutorial below from the Photoshop Training Channel reveals 10 lesser-known “genius” features that will forever change how you use Photoshop. You’ll learn helpful tricks for using the Fade command, tracking actions with the History Log, reconstructing with Liquify, and much more. The lesson covers a lot of ground in less than nine minutes, so we suggesting taking a few notes.

Instructor Jesus Ramirez has over two million subscribers to his channel that provides simple, concise videos on photo manipulation, compositing, retouching, and other techniques. He kicks off today’s eye-opening episode with this claim: “Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, these Photoshop features will supercharge your editing skills and enhance your creative potential.”

Pretty much everyone understands how to use the Eyedropper tool to select colors within a photo. But did you know that by minimizing the Photoshop frame you can select colors from any other app or website? Yep, this is pretty cool and can be very useful, and you’ll see how it’s done with a few simple clicks.

Photoshop’s Fade command also includes a few tricks. As Ramirez explains, immediately after using most tools to apply filters and adjustments you can fade the changes you applied by going into Edit and selecting the Fade Burn Tool option from the dropdown menu (or by pressing Ctl. Shift F). Then you can reduce opacity and change the Blending mode of the last adjustment you made.

Ramirez provides examples of how helpful this trick can be. But keep in mind that the Fade command is only available immediately after you apply your changes. As he says, “if you do anything else in between, including saving the image, you won’t be able to use it.”

The foregoing is just a brief taste of what you’ll learn in this episode, and there’s eight more unknown features that may turn you into a genius. After watching the video take a look at Ramirez’ instructional YouTube channel that offers a variety of editing tips and tricks that will make you even smarter.

We also suggest watching a tutorial we posted recently from another image-editing expert, with six keyboard shortcuts for a faster, more efficient masking workflow in Lightroom.

The new Leica SOFORT 2 is a digital camera that can print. And it’s an instant camera that saves digital images. It can even connect to Leica’s FOTOS app and print images shot with a different Leica camera. Plus it comes in three colors, including a drop-dead gorgeous red. What more could one ask for?

Leica Camera AG has introduced the second generation of their instant SOFORT instant camera. The big news is that users have the option to permanently save captured images on internal memory or to a microSD card. You can save about 45 images without a card, and approximately 850 images on a 1GB microSD. It’s a 5-megapixel digital camera and an instant camera all in one. And it’s jampacked with creative options.

Print your captured image immediately, as with any other instant camera, but only if you want to, or print it later. And you can print images from other Leica cameras via their FOTOS app. The app also provides remote control of the SOFORT 2. Printed images are 1600 x 600 pixels when output via the Leica FOTOS app and 800 x 600 pixels otherwise.

The SOFORT 2 features a Leica Summar f/2 prime lens that’s said to be roughly equivalent to a 28mm full-frame camera lens in terms of field-of-view. Minimum aperture is f/16. It also has a 3-inch TFT LCD (about 460,000 dots) and an auto-only shutter that ranges from 1⁄4 – 1⁄8000 seconds.

The latest Leica is outfitted with a 1/5-inch CMOS sensor that delivers resolution of 4.9 megapixels (2560 x 1920). File sizes average 1.2MB. Images are saved as JPEGs compliant with DCF 2.0 and EXIF 2.31.

The Leica SOFORT 2 offers many creative features, like dual shutter releases to facilitate selfies, a macro mode that focuses as close as 3.95 inches, and 10 Lens Effects: Normal, Vignette, Soft Focus, Blur, Fisheye, Color Shift, Light Leak, Mirror, Double Exposure and Half-Frame.

Furthermore, the SOFORT 2 features 10 Film Styles: Normal, Vivid, Pale, Canvas, Monochrome, Sepia, Yellow, Red, Blue, Retro. Finally, Leica offers exclusive printing paper with a warm white or golden frame for more complete creative expression.

Leica simultaneously announced a plethora of new accessories for the SOFORT 2.

The Leica SOFORT 2 will be available worldwide in three colors (red, white and black) at all Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store and Authorized Leica Dealers starting on November 9th, 2023. The US retail price is expected to be $389.00. A Leica digital camera with big-camera creative features for under $400? Sign us up!

—Jon Sienkiewicz