Stitching & Panoramas

[Spencer]

I thought I'd get everyone's opinion on the best way to create a good pano. Decided to go out this morning in the neighborhood and try it out. Couple of things about the shot(s): aperture priority mode f/11, auto white balance, six shots total, overlapped each shot by 20 - 25%. One thing that I realized afterwards was that I should've taken the photos in portrait orientation instead of landscape (would've given me a taller perspective). I did not use a tripod or any type of filter. In fact I just used the 18-55mm kit lens that came with my rebel xt.

I used photoshop to stitch the photos together via photomerge. Unbelievably easy if you have CS3 or later: just choose automate then photomerge via the file menu and let PS do the work. I've read that if you have CS2 or earlier than PS is much more finicky when merging photos. I realize that not everyone has access to PS and was wondering what kind of other options there are out there. I seem to remember that Hugin is an option but don't have any experience with it.

[EZE RIDER]

Cool shot. Tude is our resident pano man, I'm sure he will chime in when he gets a chance.

[Diamond Lil]

Very interesting photograph! I like it. Good to see you post Rob.

[Spencer]

Thanks but you two are way to nice; tell me what I can do to improve my mediocre attempts :)

New to this whole thing but I think I've decided that I'm more of a landscape guy.

[Diamond Lil]

Okay, the hard part: Re-shoot the photographs so that when you stitch them together those in the center are not cut off on top. Losing them as you have occurs by keeping the focal length (FL) the same throughout the series and rotating the camera to move through the desired scene. As you draw closer to photographing directly ahead, the subject is closer and is therefore larger in the resultant image. The phenomenon is called parallax and without seriously expensive tripod heads or special panorama software it is not easily to avoid.

You can try to change the FL, but IMHO that is a very challenging proposition and you will go through a tremendous amount of trial and error. There is probably a calculation that will tell you exactly what change you should make in relation to distance from the subject, but that is beyond me.

I would suggest making sure that the horizon is in the same place in the viewfinder on every photograph. The next thing is to start in the middle making sure you have good room in the image to crop on top and bottom. Then fan out. It makes for a skinny image, but can help to make sure you don't lose any of the subject in the middle.

[Spencer]

Thanks Lil, now I can say that I learned something today i.e. parallax and the FL trick. The tough part about what/where I was shooting is 1) I couldn't move any further back due to other houses being in the way and 2) I don't have a wide lens. Instead of shooting the same thing I may try to find a different subject.

[Diamond Lil]

Rob,
I learn here every day.
Try something that is not as wide and has less in the foreground. If you have an object within any of the shots you are going to make that is especially important to you make sure to put it in the center of the width of the viewfinder. You will need to deal with overlap more than you had to in your stitching above, but I think you will be pleased with the appearance of important components of your images.
Again, it is real good to see you posting and I look forward to your future works.
Lil

[tude]

Okay, the hard part: Re-shoot the photographs so that when you stitch them together those in the center are not cut off on top. Losing them as you have occurs by keeping the focal length (FL) the same throughout the series and rotating the camera to move through the desired scene. As you draw closer to photographing directly ahead, the subject is closer and is therefore larger in the resultant image. The phenomenon is called parallax and without seriously expensive tripod heads or special panorama software it is not easily to avoid.

You can try to change the FL, but IMHO that is a very challenging proposition and you will go through a tremendous amount of trial and error. There is probably a calculation that will tell you exactly what change you should make in relation to distance from the subject, but that is beyond me.

I would suggest making sure that the horizon is in the same place in the viewfinder on every photograph. The next thing is to start in the middle making sure you have good room in the image to crop on top and bottom. Then fan out. It makes for a skinny image, but can help to make sure you don't lose any of the subject in the middle.
What she said:D
I really haven't tried Panos but from what I can see of the merge/blend you did a great job (of course there is that whole chopping of the house thingy but hey)..
I will be doing some pano but not till I get the tripod I really want and a different wide angle lens..
Again great job

[Kodatech]

panos are sweet.... i haven't tried one yet though.
good shot in the op