Multi Focal Plane Macro

I was trying something a little different here. I don't have a macro lens so I invert a 50mm prime lens for my macro work. This produces incredibly shallow depths of field, which can work very well at times and less well at other times.

This is a case where I really needed more DOF. In the original image only the very foreground was in focus. This created a very undesirable outcome because the texture of the pedals as well as the center of the flower (which is always an area of complexity and interest for me) were all pretty much just reduced to a color blur. Focusing on the pedals eliminated the foreground due to the proximity I had to be in order to achieve focus.

I then had an idea. I thought, why not use both? So this image is the result of a stitch/blend if you will of the two images. Because the only real way to focus an inverted lens is to physically move the camera, it was a decent chore to get the images to align.

The result as you can see is a transition of focal planes. I personally am quite pleased with the result. I love the transition of sharp to soft to sharp to, finally again, soft.

Hope you enjoy it. All comments positive / negative welcome.