Focus on... SuperFocus
In the world of e-commerce, the visual quality of a product makes the difference between a successful sale and an abandoned cart. But getting an image that's accurate, realistic, and appealing at the same time isn't always easy, especially when it comes to small objects Or of macro shots. Very quickly, a well-known technical constraint came into play: limited depth of field.
It is to circumvent this limit that the technique of Focus Stacking — or Focus stacking — has established itself as an essential solution. At Orbitvu, this feature is now natively integrated under the name of SuperFocus, at the heart of the most advanced automated studios.
The difficulty of depth of field
The closer you photograph an object, the more the area that is actually in focus narrows. En macro photography, it is almost impossible to have both the front, the middle and the back of the product clearly defined in a single image. Even when the aperture is closed at f/22, the optical diffraction ends up degrading the bite.
This poses a major problem for the Packshot photography, where every detail counts: etching, texture, Relief, sheen... All must be visible and faithfully rendered. A fuzzy area, no matter how small, can alter the visual understanding of the product — and therefore hinder the purchase.
A solution: the stacking of adjustments
The Focus Stacking consists of photographing the product several times, slightly modifying the Focus in each image. Each photo isolates a perfectly clear area. Then, specialized software merges the whole into a single image where all areas of sharpness are combined. The result: a spectacular, sharp photo from the front to the background, without loss of sharpness.
This technique, once reserved for experts using Photoshop or Helicon Focus, is now fully automated thanks to Orbitvu studios.
A pioneer technology at PackshotCreator
It's in 2013 what PackshotCreator Has been The world's leading player to integrate focus stacking into a complete packshot workflow. At the time, the software used was that of The company Ortery, distributed under the PackshotCreator brand. It is Laurent Wainberg who, anticipating the needs of users in terms of sharpness and realism, took the initiative to integrate the Helicon Focus SDK in the software.
This precursor version of automated focus stacking already made it possible to obtain a completely clear visual at the time, without going through a long and manual treatment. A major advance, which paved the way for what has now become a norm.
Today: SuperFocus, integrated into Orbitvu studios
Since 2023, PackshotCreator exclusively distributes solutions Orbitvu. It is in this context that the functionality SuperFocus saw the light of day. Integrated directly into the software Orbitvu Station, it goes even further: faster, smoother, more stable, it makes it possible to generate a perfectly clear image, without technical intervention by the user.
The operator simply places the product in the studio, selects SuperFocus mode, and starts the capture. The system takes care of the rest: automatic variation of the focus, software fusion, local processing... All in a few seconds.
Why use SuperFocus?
For your e-commerce visuals:
- You show the product in its entirety, without a parasitic fuzzy zone,
- You reveal details that are often invisible in a classic photo,
- You gain credibility among buyers, which results in more conversions and fewer returns.
For your production teams:
- No need to retouch photos in Photoshop,
- A considerable saving of time on shooting and post-production,
- A workflow reliable, repeatable, integrated into your content creation channel.
Application case: jewelry, cosmetics, watches, components...
Some product categories particularly benefit from SuperFocus technology:
- Jewelry : settings, fine stones, interior engravings... nothing should escape the objective.
- Cosmetics : to highlight textures, gilding, the details of a bottle or an embossed lid.
- Watchmaking : complex mechanisms, hands, indexes and crowns must all be clear at the same time.
- Technical objects : screws, connectors, markings or miniature components.
What SuperFocus allows that no other technique allows
Closing the aperture to f/22 may increase the depth of field, but it does result in loss of overall sharpness due to diffraction. In addition, very small objects sometimes require focusing at microscopic levels. Focus stacking is the only solution that combines maximum sharpness and optimum sharpness.
Manual post-production is another option, but it is:
- Chronophage,
- Expensive in qualified labor,
- Often inaccurate (unclear areas or visible artifacts).
With SuperFocus, the whole process is:
- Automated,
- Dependable,
- And above all, reproducible on hundreds of products.
A natural, faithful and usable result immediately
The file generated via SuperFocus does not undergo any beautification treatment. It scrupulously respects:
- The original colors,
- The texture of materials,
- The Real lights and shadows.
The image is ready to be used for:
- one e-commerce product sheet,
- one printed brochure,
- one PDF catalog or
- one marketing presentation.
And in practice?
SuperFocus technology is available in studios like the Alphashot MICRO Pro v2, designed for small objects with a high level of detail. The software automatically detects the focus range, adjusts the shots, and generates the final file without manual intervention.
A beginner photographer can, in less than a minute, obtain a professional quality visual.
Conclusion
For over 20 years, PackshotCreator supports brands in optimizing their product visuals. By introducing in 2013 the technology of Focus Stacking, then adopting today SuperFocus with Orbitvu, we continue to offer tools concrete, powerful and accessible to all companies that want to promote their products with requirement and efficiency.
Do you want to test SuperFocus on your own products?
Make an appointment in our Orbitvu Experience Center in Levallois and discover how this technology can transform the way you produce visuals.
