Stitching that Digital Panorama
Digital Photography Tips – Stitching that Digital Panorama
There is something to be said about that wide angle view of a city skyline, or a beautiful landscape. Panoramic views really can completely change an image by showing more of what the photographer sees. For many types of images, really, learning to create good panoramas can add to your business.
When it comes to creating a panoramic scene there are a number of ways to go about it with your digital SLR. You can, of course, always just buy a panoramic (or fisheye) lens, for your SLR. This method is the simplest way, but in some ways it is limiting in what you can do.
A better way to create the perfect panoramic view is with image stitching. With this method you take several images with your camera and then tie those images together using stitching software. Using more than one image to create a panorama allows you more flexibility with the entire process.
Digital Photography Tips - Taking Successive Images
Before you start stitching anything, you’re obviously going to need some images. You need to take images one after the other, while panning the camera (on a tripod) to the side with each successive shot.
For most of the camera settings you will need to determine what best for is given situation, but there are a few things that you need to ensure when taking successive images.
* Timing is key: When taking images in succession it’s important to understand that timing can greatly affect the way an image looks. A ten minute gap between one photo and the next will change the lighting and shadows to a large enough degree that they will be difficult to combine. Ensure that you work quickly while moving the camera for the next shot.
* Settings matter: Your camera should be used on manual mode, and the same settings must be used for each photograph. This ensures that the images will all look the same, and can easily be combined.
* Raw mode is a must: When taking your photos raw mode is best. By shooting in raw mode you allow yourself the flexibility to alter the white balance and make up for slight differences with each photo.
Once you have your camera setup, simply take a shot. Move the camera to the side so that it just capture the edge of the previous shot and shoot again. Continue this until you have 2 – 10 photos to combine.
Digital Photography Tips – Using Stitching Software
Although there are many tools you could use to stitch your photos (some use Photoshop), there are tools that can make the job easier. For a Windows PC there is PTAssembler (http://www.tawbaware.com/ptasmblr.htm), and for Mac there is PTMac (http://www.kekus.com/software/ptmac.html).
These tools allow you to import your images and then specify vanishing points to combine the images in a number of different ways. The software uses multiple reference points to make it easy to seamlessly overlap and combine your images.
Once you have your photos taken, simply import and combine. The resulting image is quite likely to be more than you ever thought possible, and quite possibly could become one of your most prized photos.
