How to Focus Stack in Adobe Photoshop

Focus stacking is a post-processing technique that merges multiple images shot at slightly different focal points into a single composite with an extended depth of field. This guide provides the exact steps required to import, align, and blend your focus slices seamlessly using Adobe Photoshop, making it ideal for macro, product, and landscape photography where a single exposure cannot keep the entire subject sharp.

Step 1: Load Images into Photoshop as Layers

  1. Open Adobe Photoshop.
  2. Go to File > Scripts > Load Files into Stack.
  3. In the Load Layers dialog, set Use to Files or Folder, then click Browse to select all your focus-bracketed images.
  4. Leave the alignment checkboxes unchecked for now and click OK. Photoshop will import each image as an individual layer within a single document.

Step 2: Auto-Align the Layers

Even when using a sturdy tripod, minor shifts, wind, or lens breathing (slight focal length changes when refocusing) alter the composition between frames.

  1. Select all the layers in the Layers panel by clicking the top layer, holding Shift, and clicking the bottom layer.
  2. Go to Edit > Auto-Align Layers.
  3. In the dialog box, select the Auto projection option.
  4. Leave the lens distortion options unchecked unless working with severe distortion, then click OK. Photoshop will analyze the layers and scale/rotate them to match.

Step 3: Auto-Blend the Focus Slices

Photoshop automatically evaluates the sharpest areas of each layer and generates layer masks to reveal only the crisp focus regions.

  1. Ensure all layers remain selected in the Layers panel.
  2. Go to Edit > Auto-Blend Layers.
  3. In the dialog box, select Stack Images.
  4. Check Seamless Tones and Colors to smooth out exposure and color transitions between frames.
  5. Check Content Aware Fill Transparent Areas if you want Photoshop to fill in any empty edges created during alignment.
  6. Click OK. Photoshop creates layer masks on each layer, displaying only the in-focus pixels.

Step 4: Inspect and Refine the Composite

  1. Zoom in to 100% and scan through critical areas of the image to check for artifacts, halos, or missing focus zones.
  2. If any area looks blurry, select the layer mask corresponding to the sharp version of that section and paint with a soft white or black brush to adjust the mask visibility.
  3. Crop out any remaining transparent or distorted borders using the Crop Tool (C).
  4. Once satisfied, create a merged copy by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Shift + E (Windows) or Cmd + Option + Shift + E (macOS) to produce a final, flattened layer for global color grading and sharpening.