Introduction to Panoramic photography. David R. Chung Linn Area Photography Club

Transcription

1 Introduction to Panoramic photography David R. Chung Linn Area Photography Club

2 1. What is a panoramic photograph? 2. Why panoramas? 3. Techniques 4. In the field 5. In the digital darkroom 6. Summary 7. Resources Overview Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 2

3 What is a Panoramic Photograph? A panoramic photograph is an an extra wide or tall (or both) photograph Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 3

4 Why Panoramas? Super wide view Really large prints Extra detail Diminishing lens detail Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 4

5 1. Dedicated Panoramic Cameras 2. 35mm and APS 3. Stitching 1. Digital Capture 2. Film Scan Techniques Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 5

6 Dedicated Panoramic Cameras Expensive field of view 35mm or 120 film Special printing/enlarging Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 6

7 35mm and APS Panoramas Some 35mm cameras have a panoramic setting. All APS cameras have a panoramic setting. Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 7

8 Digital camera Film Scans Panoramas made up of multiple images Stitching Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 8

9 In the Field 1. Level 2. Nodal Point 3. Focus/Zoom 4. Depth of Field 5. Exposure 6. Overlap 7. Coverage 8. Mark beginning and end Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 9

10 Level Whenever possible use tripod Keep the camera level Hotshoe level Leveling Head Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 10

11 Nodal Point Rotate camera around the lens nodal point Several manufacturers make panoramic tripod heads Panoramic heads rotate around the nodal point Panoramic heads may be very expensive Nodal Point Tripod Socket Film Plane/Digital Sensor Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 11

12 Panoramic Heads Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 12

13 Focus/Zoom/Depth of Field Use the same zoom (focal length) for all images Use manual focus Maximize depth of field (high aperture, hyperfocal distance) Make the nearest part of the picture in the center Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 13

14 Use the same exposure for all shots if possible. Use manual exposure Exposure Take into account the brightest and darkest parts of all the images Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 14

15 Overlap and Coverage Make sure that the images overlap one another by 15-30% Include more in the frame than you need for the image Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 15

16 Mark the First and Last Images Make sure you can tell when the panorama begins and ends Take a picture of the ground, sky or even your hand to mark the beginning and end of a series. Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 16

17 1. Tools 2. Simple stitching 3. Complex stitching 4. Multi-row stitching In the Digital Darkroom Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 17

18 Tools Some digital camera makers provide stitching software with their cameras. Any photo editing program that uses layers (i.e. Adobe Photoshop) Dedicated stitching software (PanoTools, PTAssembler) Stitching feature of Photoshop CS * If you are shooting RAW, make sure you use the same converter settings for all images. Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 18

19 Simple Stitching Load images into an editor that understands layers Create a new canvas large enough to hold all of your individual images Paste the original images into the layers on the new image Align the images Use the Healing Brush or Smudge tool to clean up the edges. Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 19

20 Simple Stitching Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 20

21 Complex Stitching Name your images in order (img1 img2 or img_left img_middle img_right) Load the image into PT Assembler Configure lens, image multiplier (for digital) and other information Match points Generate Panorama Crop in Photoshop Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 21

22 Prepare For Stitching Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 22

23 Load Images Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 23

24 Set Image Parameters Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 24

25 Choose Control Points Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 25

26 Initial Panorama Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 26

27 Final Panorama Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 27

28 Macroscopic Panoramas Outdoor Photographer, July George Lepp has an article on using panoramas in macro photography and produces some stunning results (including of course his signature poppies for all the LAPC flower enthusiasts) Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 28

29 Macroscopic Panoramas Image Copyright Judy Arndt ( used by permission. Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 29

30 Multi-Row Panoramas Image Copyright Max Lyons ( used by permission. Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 30

31 Multi-Row Panoramas 14 x 14 images (196 total) 40,784 x 26,800 pixels (1.09 gigapixel) Prints 14 x 9 feet at 240dpi Max Lyons, author of PT Assembler Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 31

32 Multi-Row Panoramas Image Copyright Max Lyons ( used by permission. Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 32

33 Summary Panoramas are an excellent way to expand you photographic horizons Panoramas are well suited to digital cameras You can use expensive panoramic hardware and software or just a simple digital camera and basic photo editing software Panoramas are fun Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 33

34 Gallery Wilson Arch 15 images 3x5 28mm (44mm eq) Image Copyright Max Lyons ( used by permission. Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 34

35 Gallery Portland Head Light 4 images 2x2 28mm (42mm eq) Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 35

36 Gallery Balanced Rock, Arches National Park 34 images 2x17 280mm (448mm eq) Image Copyright Max Lyons ( used by permission. Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 36

37 Gallery The Wave 9 images 3x3 28mm (44mm eq) Image Copyright Max Lyons ( used by permission. Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 37

38 Gallery WWII Memorial 9 images 3x3 lens unknown Image Copyright Max Lyons ( used by permission. Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 38

39 Resources This presentation PT Assembler Judy Arndt Luminous Landscape Linn Area Photo Club Introduction to Panoramic Photography, Slide 39