Adapt your camera work to capture fast-moving subjects up close
When you shoot at higher magnifications, the zone of focus is very narrow, making it tricky – if not impossible – to capture small subjects sharply throughout. You could try a narrower aperture, but if that doesn’t help there are other ways to extend the depth of field.
One such technique is focusstacking. In situations when you can’t achieve the subject sharpness you require in one shot, stack several frames. The process involves taking a sequence of images, each one focused at a slightly different point on the subject, then combining the sharpest parts of each image.
Helpfully, many modern cameras have a mode or function that automates the process. For example, Nikon’s Focus Shift mode, when activated, will automatically vary the point of focus by a set amount over a series of shots. The camera creates the sequence for the photographer to later merge in Photoshop, or using dedicated stacking software, like Helicon Focus or Zerene Stacker. Some cameras can even create the stack in-camera.
Another advantage of stacking is that you can select a wider aperture to maintain lovely bokeh and a fast shutter speed. It’s always best to use a tripod when stacking, as it’ll be easier to align your images, but it’s also possible to shoot handheld using a fast shutter speed and burst mode.
