The Photoshop Lens Blur filter is useful for reducing Depth of Field (DOF) in photographs. A common problem however, is just the opposite: to extend DOF. Often, a single photograph cannot capture all of the detail. Either background features or foreground features end up being out of focus.

Photoshop CS4 has improved the Auto-Align Layers and Auto-Blend Layers commands so that it's possible to make a composite photograph from a stack of photos with each shot with a different point of focus.

This sounds easy in theory. The Photoshop commands automatically generate a blended composite with the sharpest elements from each photo in a stack. In practice, these improvements work reasonably well. That's to say, with good technique, some extra effort, and (yes) some luck, you can use the technique successfully with macro and near-macro subjects like flowers.

Most of the tutorials and videos focus on the new feature and cheerlead rather than giving photographers practical advice. Many gurus know about Photoshop features but have little experience behind the viewfinder, especially with macro and near-macro subjects.

This tutorial focuses on practical advice for digital photographers. You can, under the right circumstances, make a composite photo that has more DOF than is possible with camera and lens alone.

This is the first format with the new .PDF format or TLR tutorials. Comments will be appreciated.

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