Macro

Focus Stacking Service for Macro-Sharp Product Photos

Frame-by-frame sharpness for jewelry, watches and small products at macro.

Macro photography creates a clear problem. The closer you get, the thinner your focus becomes. A ring shot at f/8 may show the front prong clearly, while the band turns soft in the background. Our focus stacking service fixes this problem. We blend a series of frames, each focused on a different plane, into one image that looks sharp from front to back. This is the standard technique for jewelry, watch, and small product photography. It also helps product images stay clear under ecommerce zoom.

What Our Focus Stacking Service Includes

Focus stacking, also called focus blending or z stacking, starts in your studio. You shoot a bracket of matching frames. You move the focal point step by step from the nearest edge of the product to the farthest point. Then our editors take over. We align every frame. We correct the slight magnification shift that happens when the focus changes. Then we blend the sharpest parts of each exposure into one clean composite. Every order includes hand checked masking, cleanup of halos and ghost edges, dust removal, sensor spot removal, and delivery in the format your workflow needs. You can choose layered PSD, TIFF, or web ready JPEG. Automated merging often leaves problems on reflective metal and faceted stones. Our editors clean those areas by hand. You can also combine focus stacking with background removal, color correction, or full high end retouching in the same order.

Our Process, Frame by Frame

Upload your stack. Send RAW, TIFF, or high quality JPEG frames through our secure transfer system. You can send a few frames or dozens, based on the product. Alignment. We register every frame and correct focus breathing between shots. This keeps fine textures from doubling. Blending. An editor builds the composite in Photoshop. We hand mask the transitions where automated stacking fails. This includes polished bezels, pavé settings, and engraved dials. Edge and artifact cleanup. We remove halos, ghosting on overlapping elements, and soft seams at pixel level. Finishing and QC. We match exposure, color, and background to your spec. Then a second editor reviews the file before delivery.

Built for Jewelry, Watches, and Small Products

Jewelry brands use focus stacking to keep small details sharp. A hallmark, a center stone, and the far side of a band can all look clear in one image. Watchmakers use it to keep dial texture, hands, and bezel engraving in focus at the same time. A single macro exposure often cannot hold all these details. Focus stacking also works for electronics, cosmetics, coins, miniatures, and catalog products shot at close range. When depth of field becomes too shallow, stacking gives the image more usable sharpness. Color Experts International has 40 years of experience in production photo editing. More than 250 in house editors work with 12,000 plus brands, including Amazon and MGM. Your stacks go to editors who blend product composites every day.

Turnaround and Pricing

We deliver completed stacks within 24 hours as standard. Rush delivery is available in 4 to 12 hours when you need files faster. Pricing depends on the number of frames and the finishing you need. Focus stacking is quoted per project. Use the calculator on our pricing page for an estimate, or request a quote. We will send you an exact per image price for your stacks. Our editing services start at $0.20 per image. New clients can also test our work first. Send 2 images through our free trial and review the blend quality before you place a full order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many frames can you blend into one image?

There is no fixed limit. Send the full bracket you shot. We handle deep macro stacks with dozens of frames as part of regular production. More frames usually create smoother focus transitions. We will also flag any frames that may hurt the final composite.

Why not just use automated stacking software?

Automated stacking software can help, but it often struggles with reflective metal, faceted stones, and overlapping elements. It may create halos, ghost edges, and misplaced blur. Our editors correct each composite with hand masking. This turns a basic merged file into a clean, publishable product image.

What should I send, and how should I shoot the stack?

Send RAW or TIFF frames when possible. These formats give us the most editing control. High quality JPEGs also work. Shoot from a tripod. Keep exposure and lighting fixed. Change only the focus point between frames. Minor shifts are not a problem. Alignment correction is part of every focus stacking order.

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