(click pix for larger version)
We have all wanted to take a breathtaking panoramic view at more than our eyes' 160°... Some cameras have an integrated panoramic view, but most people try this with stitching software. I use (and love) DoubleTake on OSX. PTGui is another good alternative people love. This can produce very large pictures with lots of detail; if you feel like doing tons of pictures for a huge image, try Gigapan.
Some feedback though on how to best do this:
- my current workflow is : import pictures in Aperture 3.0, trash the ones I will not keep, export in RAW for DxO Optics Pro 6.2, reveal in DxO, export in JPEG 100%, reimport in Aperture in a DxO Smart Folder, do minimal adjustments (crop, shadows, highlights, exposure, Vibrancy), export Version (JPEG), import into Flickr Uploader, adjust title/credit/tags/sets/permissions (I find the Flickr exporter in Aperture gives me less flexibility)
- you shouldn't attempt any photo stitching after treating your pictures in either DxO (modifies exposure and optical aberrations - although this last point might be useful - to be tested) or Aperture. Just use your RAW pictures (tested with Canon's RAW format: .CR2).
- as you can see it my panorama above, there is a slight difference in exposure on the middle of the picture (slightly offset to the right). You can avoid this by shooting manually (not P or A) so that the exposure is the same for all pictures. There is a setting in DoubleTake to help you tackle exposure problems. I've used it with success in the past, but found it rather harder (changed tint as well) on this panorama
- if you don't want to loose to much information on top and bottom on the panorama, I recommend using a tripod for horizontal spanning. But handheld works too. I've read in the past that for automatic adjustment (Doubletake does wonders here), you should have about 30% overlap between pictures.
Easy enough, don't you think ?
Do post links to your favourite panoramas below !
