Some photos entice you to move your eyes from side to side and top to bottom to see hidden details that may be hidden at first glance. This is similar to what happens as you gaze out over a beautiful landscape. A panoramic photo captures the view including the peripheral areas of the entire scene.
With some planning and attention to detail you can create a panoramic image that will rival the real thing. A panoramic photo can be taller and or wider than a normal size photo. Individual images can be stitched side by side as well as above or below each other. The total number of images is not as important as the equal overlap that is applied to each one.
Amateurs as well as professional photographers can create a panoramic photo by stitching together several individual images. In the past photos were trimmed by hand, placed side by side at matching points and then they were framed. Variances in color and lighting could be seen but the overall effect was a panoramic view. Today with the ability to digitize images, the process has been greatly improved. Computer software designed to stitch digital images together, often leave no visible demarcation lines in your panoramic photos.
The long version is a 360 degree panorama. A number of individual images are stitched together to produce a 360 degree panorama which when viewed on a computer, appears to have no beginning or no end. This affect is accomplished by overlapping the first image with the last image.
Photos captured on film can be scanned into your computer, making them a digital file, so that they can be stitched together with software. Scan the photos at high resolution to increase your ability to manipulate the digital image. These photos can be scanned individually – then stitched or they can be scanned as a line of photos all at once. A digital camera produces digitized images automatically.
Either method is acceptable. Some cropping will probably be required since the top and the bottom edges are seldom perfectly even once the images are stitched together.
Although there are special ultra-wide angle lenses and specialized cameras available for producing panoramic photos, the stitching process often produces a higher quality photo. Individual images will contain a higher number of pixels, which in turn will allow for better enlargements as well as other adjustments to the final panoramic image.
If you do not own a professional digital camera – it is not a problem. Your ordinary digital camera will take photos that are suitable for stitching together. Whether you hold your camera or whether you mount it on a tripod, the camera needs to be rotated slightly after each shot to include between 25 to 50 percent overlap of details from the previous image. For example, if there is a tree on the right side of the first image – the second image should include a portion of the tree which would appear to be on the left side. When possible place a prominent object such as a tree in the overlapping areas of your images. Once the photos are stitched together the tree will appear seamless in the correct spatial area of the image.
It is important to keep your camera at the same level as you take each shot. A tripod may help accomplish this task, but be aware that this will not automatically insure that each image will be shot at the same level. As the camera is rotated there can be a variance due to an unleveled tripod or due to the type of connection used to attach the camera and the tripod. Special tripod heads called pan heads and tripod levels can be used to insure correct alignment. Test the image alignment by looking through the camera view finder while panning across the landscape. Check for continuity between close objects and far off objects. Continue to adjust the tripod and the camera until you are pleased with the slight differences seen during the rotation. Shooting objects closer to you create more alignment issues than a typical landscape panorama that is shot from a further distance.
If you do not have a tripod you can still accomplish desirable results. Brace your camera and your body. Rotate slowly – stopping as you snap each shot. Shoot a series of overlapping images that take in the entire view that you want to capture.
A landscape panorama lends itself to this method since there is seldom much movement going on. You will have less problem stitching images if you do not overlap in an area that has movement such as a branch blown by a breeze. You may see small imperfections in the final panoramic photo but they should be within an acceptable range.
Stitching software makes subtle changes in the images to improve the stitching process. You can assist the process by planning ahead and by paying attention to subtle details that will improve the individual images. Plan your shots by taking into account the available lighting, the placement of your camera and of the objects that will be seen in the finished panorama.
You may want to include some interesting clouds in the landscape to give the panorama more depth. You can increase the illusion of depth by placing your camera in such a way as to take advantage of the light and dark areas of the landscape. Avoid shooting during the brightest part of the day. Bright sunshiny days produce less desirable lighting than would a slightly overcast day.
Each image included in your panorama should be taken using the same camera exposure. Turn off the automatic exposure setting on your camera. Choose the best overall exposure setting and leave it there. Filters can be used to intensify colors and to correct some lighting problems.
Balance your panorama image with tall versus short objects and smooth versus rough objects. For example, if you begin with a tall tree you should end with another tree, a hill or maybe a tower that is equivalent in height. Contrast the softness of a flower with the hardness of a rock formation. Contrast the foliage with tall grasses or bare limbs. If you shoot a horizon, try to include an object of interest to interrupt the straight line formed where the sky meets the land. A crooked tree or an old barn may work well for this purpose.
As you search for interesting images to build your panoramic photo keep in mind that you are telling a story. Is it an interesting one? Will your panorama make others want to search for hidden details? Nature is beautiful all on its own and if you can capture it at its best you will have succeeded.
