Removing out of focus parts of images? Any tools for that?

[ByRiker'sBeard1]

I would like to take many photos of the same scene using a shallow depth of field and focus at multiple distances. I'd like to extract out all regions of all photos that are out of focus and make them white (transparent). How can this be done? I want to create a 3D effect in post.

 

[480sparky51 50]

If you want just one image where everything is in focus, it's called 'focus stacking'. It won't look '3D', just in focus.

 

[Rickbb76 15]

Some cameras and/or lenses will create the stack in camera. But I still use a focus rail manually and stack in LRC or Photoshop. As for removing the unwanted parts standard masking/removal tools will work.

 

[ByRiker'sBeard1]

If you want just one image where everything is in focus, it's called 'focus stacking'. It won't look '3D', just in focus.

No, I don't want to focus stack.

 

[480sparky51 50]

No, I don't want to focus stack.

So you want a flat image to change perspective if you move in relationship to it, like you're looking at a diorama or scale model of a scene?

 

[petrochemist128 153]

If you're not after focus stacking then I suspect you'll have to do it manually, using options like masks in Photoshop or similar editing software.

 

[Rickbb76 15]

….. many photos of the same scene using a shallow depth of field and focus at multiple distances.

This is literally the definition of focus stacking.

 

[ByRiker'sBeard1]

This is literally the definition of focus stacking.

I never said I was recombining them right away. I wanted to possibly tint different images to visually give a sense of actual distance from camera, or even decrease saturation making any scene look like it's going out into a great distance.

 

[ByRiker'sBeard1]

So you want a flat image to change perspective if you move in relationship to it, like you're looking at a diorama or scale model of a scene?

Something like this.

 

[480sparky51 50]

Something like this.

A photo is a 2-dimensional object. It appears you're wanting a 3-dimensional object. I don't think what you're wanting to do is physically possible.

For instance, you have a person standing in front of a building. You focus on the person, take a shot, then focus on the building and take another shot.

How do you expect to create a 3-dimensional object that, when turned, to display the portion of the building that was covered by the person?

 

[Rickbb76 15]

Sounds like you need video animation software to give movement to flat images.

 

[ByRiker'sBeard1]

A photo is a 2-dimensional object. It appears you're wanting a 3-dimensional object. I don't think what you're wanting to do is physically possible.

For instance, you have a person standing in front of a building. You focus on the person, take a shot, then focus on the building and take another shot.

How do you expect to create a 3-dimensional object that, when turned, to display the portion of the building that was covered by the person?

Not volumetric. Just create clear separations between depths. Movies not filmed in 3D can be recomposed to make one eye see foreground differently than background to make it at least pop. I just want to crossection the world.

 

[480sparky51 50]

..... Movies not filmed in 3D can be recomposed to make one eye see foreground differently than background to make it at least pop....

There's your answer then.... just make the view wear '3D glasses'.

 

[ByRiker'sBeard1]

There's your answer then.... just make the view wear '3D glasses'.

Well I still need to separate a scene into layers deleting all out of focus areas of each image.

 

[480sparky51 50]

Well I still need to separate a scene into layers deleting all out of focus areas of each image.

Again... it's called focus stacking.