You can do it handheld, but there won't be nearly the precision that you want.


Alternatively, you can use a focusing rail or something like a Gorillapod with 'socks' on its 'feet'.;
, It is next to impossible to shoot macro, let alone use a focusing rail if the subject is moving around.
 As with all macro photography, you need a strong light.
 It is best to have a certain order of focus. Front to back or back to front.
, For the purposes of this article, the front. Take the photograph.
 Take the photograph.
 Take the photograph.


Obviously, this will differ greatly from snapping a panorama type image to a macro image.
, Some are:


Adobe Photoshop (Commercial)
Photoshop Lightroom
Photoshop CS
CombineZP (Freeware)
Be sure to have a tripod.
Be sure the subject is very stable.
Have a source of light.
Set up your macro shot.
Determine how much/how many shots you want to take and the area of focus.

,
Focus where you will start the stack at.
Move slightly past the first point of focus.
Take another shot just a little further back.
Continue until you have all of the images that you need.

,
Offload them off to the computer and open the program that you will use to stack them in.
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