Making panoramas is a wonderful way to photograph a scene with the best perspective. Shooting brackets for HDR is a wonderful way to get the best exposure for a scene. So why not do both? I've been doing both for several years, but it's always taken a lot of thought and process on the computer to get the pictures all put together. Do you do the HDR first, or stitch the panorama first? Lightroom's Classic's latest update brought the two together, and it's pretty awesome. Lightroom has processed HDR brackets and panoramas separately for several … [Read more...] about How to use Lightroom’s new Photomerge: HDR Panorama
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In Depth Video Gear Review: Vanguard Alta GH300T Tripod Grip Head
The right tripod head makes using a tripod a joy, and the Vanguard Alta GH300T is just such a head. It's a grip head, which means you can make adjustments with a single hand, but unlike other grip heads, it doesn't require you to squeeze a handle. A single lock at the thumb loosens and tightens. It is Arca-Swiss compatible. It also has a trigger built-in which can trigger your shutter with an included cord (includes cords for Canon and Nikon). I like this head very much, and I think you'll enjoy it, too. I'm showing it in this video attached to … [Read more...] about In Depth Video Gear Review: Vanguard Alta GH300T Tripod Grip Head
Your First Phantom Drone: Part 3 – Settings and beginner drone photography
You have flown in beginner mode using GPS a few times and are getting comfortable with the controls. You can launch it yourself and bring it back home. You should be able to fly forward, backward and sideways. It is time to spread your wings and break out from the beginner mode. Using the DJI Go App, set the maximal altitude to no more than 120 meters or 400’ as required by the FAA. Micro SD cards It’s also time to take some photos. Make sure you have a micro SD card installed in the drone (hint: it goes in upside down). Through the DJI Go … [Read more...] about Your First Phantom Drone: Part 3 – Settings and beginner drone photography
Knowing How To Fly In ATTI Mode Might Save Your Drone
Editor's Note: This is a guest post by Chris Anson. Check out his work right here. Here’s the challenge: Your drone can be flying along and all of a sudden you lose GPS signal or some other reason and your drone app tells you that it has changed to ATTI mode or it tells you that GPS mode is no longer working and tells you to switch to ATTI mode. What do you do? When this happens in an emergency situation and the pilot doesn’t have any experience in flying in ATTI mode, it often leads to crashes. What is ATTI Mode & Why is it … [Read more...] about Knowing How To Fly In ATTI Mode Might Save Your Drone
4 Tips For Long Exposure Cityscapes
Autumn and Spring are great seasons for making cityscapes. The weather is cool but not cold, and the sun sets early so you can make nighttime pictures at a reasonable hour and there will still be plenty of traffic on the roads for making light trails. Shooting long exposure cityscapes is enjoyable and it's a great way to see your own city with fresh eyes. Let me share a few ideas that will help you have a better experience as you practice nighttime cityscapes. 1. Don't Get Hangry Not surprisingly, long exposures take a lot of time. Bring … [Read more...] about 4 Tips For Long Exposure Cityscapes
Problem Solving | Photofocus Podcast | June 16th, 2017
Levi and Pepper talk about the upcoming full eclipse of the sun and some ideas to make the opportunity unique to you. We also take a minute to think about basing a photo business on a single platform -- which might suddenly change! Find Levi: www.levisim.com twitter.com/photolevi Find Pepper: www.panoramanetwork.com twitter.com/ronpepper Have suggestions or questions to be used on the show? Email us here: -Levi Sim: [email protected] -Ron Pepper: [email protected] Get the show here or get it on iTunes — Don’t … [Read more...] about Problem Solving | Photofocus Podcast | June 16th, 2017
How To Stitch Panoramas In Lightroom
Lightroom CC can stitch panoramas, and having this function at my fingertips has completely revolutionized the way that I shoot. I used to use ultra wide angle lenses to get more scene in my picture, but now I just keep my normal or even telephoto lens on and make a panorama. I end up with a higher resolution picture of my scene, and I get to keep the proportions from the telephoto I love. Here’s how to use Lightroom to stitch your panoramas. Shoot for Panos Lightroom does a great job putting the pieces of a panorama together, but there are a … [Read more...] about How To Stitch Panoramas In Lightroom
Getting Creative With Instagram’s Multiple Photos Feature
Recently Instagram added the “multiple photos” feature, where an image post can include up to 10 images and/or videos which you can swipe through. Although sharing an album of shots from a trip or shoot is the most obvious choice, I am always on the lookout for new ways to share my work and the stories behind it. Below are some creative ways to use multiple photos in my Instagram posts, as well as a short primer on how to use this new feature. Ideas for Things You Can Do with Multiple Photos Action Sequence (See it on Instagram. Best … [Read more...] about Getting Creative With Instagram’s Multiple Photos Feature
Don’t Bring a Wide-Angle Lens, Just Make Panos
Making pictures on a photowalk or hike should be enjoyable and relatively stress-free. One way to reduce your stress is to carry less equipment. A small kit makes your body lighter and helps you keep going longer. Bring a prime lens and stretch your vision by framing with your feet instead of lazily zooming in and out to frame a shot. This go-light method is terrific until you see a wonderful picture that just doesn't fit in the lens you brought. Fortunately, you've got tools available to help you make the most of even that tough … [Read more...] about Don’t Bring a Wide-Angle Lens, Just Make Panos
Essential Steps to Creating an HDR Photo with Lightroom
The way that Lightroom handles HDR images is very different than how tools like Photoshop or even Photomatix handle the HDR images. In fact, it will completely change your workflow inside of Lightroom. So, even if you don't think of yourself as an HDR photographer, open up your mind a bit, and what you'll find is that you'll have greater control over the final appearance of your images. Shooting Strategies Here are a few practical tips for HDR images. Here’s a free tutorial on how to shoot HDR — http://bit.ly/shoothdr Use a Tripod. … [Read more...] about Essential Steps to Creating an HDR Photo with Lightroom
Should I say “HDR” anymore?
I find myself using the term ‘HDR’ less and less every day. When I started as a panoramic photographer in 2002, I was continually frustrated because almost every 360º scene would have blown-out bright highlights or ‘blocked up’ shadows. Often I would have both of those extremes in the same scene because a camera can only capture so much dynamic range. Imagine being outside of a hotel where the sun is behind the building. The shadows are dark on the building, but I still need to capture the complete scene at a pool -- of course before crowds … [Read more...] about Should I say “HDR” anymore?
Go Make A Panorama
You should make a lot more panoramic photographs. It's a great way to capture a larger view of the world, and you don't need to buy a new lens. In fact, you'll find that a panorama gives a better view than simply using a wide angle lens because the objects far away are not diminished as much as they are with a wide angle lens. There are many options for stitching the pieces of the panorama together. For my work, I've found Lightroom is usually adequate, and Photoshop does it a little better. Those who make a living selling panoramas often … [Read more...] about Go Make A Panorama
What would a Panoramic Photographer do?
A panoramic photographer doesn’t view the world in the same way as other photographers and planning a shot in all 360 glorious degrees changes nearly everything. I've been passionate about the 360º image for several years now and probably talk about it too much. Part of this talk is encouraging other photographers to add panoramic photography to their répertoire and helping those new to panoramic photography to get started. Hopefully the following examples of what a panoramic photographer would do will encouragement some to try it … [Read more...] about What would a Panoramic Photographer do?
Instant Replay: Panoramas and HDR with Ron Pepper
Join Rob Sylvan and Levi Sim with their special guest Ron Pepper, a photographer who makes a living shooting panoramic and HDR photographs. Pepper puts these special photographic techniques to incredible uses, and he's a wiz. We'll show you what scenes make a great panorama or HDR, how to keep it organized, how to put it together and finish it off, all launching from Lightroom. Be sure to check out these excellent videos by Howard Pinsky for tips on using the new features built into Lightroom for making Panoramas and making HDR's, … [Read more...] about Instant Replay: Panoramas and HDR with Ron Pepper
Photo of the Day: Ogwen Valley
Category: Architecture/Landscape Photography by Nic Taylor Originally shared on the Photofocus Flickr page. With a leaden sky clamping down on the valley, Nic Taylor captured a wonderful panorama which uses the mountains on each side to cradle the composition. From the lichen-dappled boulder in the foreground to the road and eventually the river, the viewers' eyes have a clear path to follow in this wonderful composition. Nic used restrained processing to retain the cool charm of the scene and the obvious connection between earth and … [Read more...] about Photo of the Day: Ogwen Valley
Boundary Warp in Lightroom CC
The new Boundary Warp feature within Lightroom CC can help you relatively seamlessly fill in the 'transparent' areas on your panoramas by intelligently warping the edges without distorting details. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZxB-majksM … [Read more...] about Boundary Warp in Lightroom CC
Working with the New Boundary Warp Feature in Lightroom
Adobe just introduced an update to Lightroom CC (v2015.4) with a new feature called Boundary Warp. Found inside the Panorama merge screen, Boundary Warp intelligently stretches the edges of a merged panorama so you don't have to crop as much of the final image. How Do I Merge a Panorama? Merging images as a Panorama used to be complicated and involved going into Photoshop. Not anymore...You can do it right from inside Lightroom. First, select the photos you want to merge into a panorama. Next, choose the Photo menu, then click Photo Merge … [Read more...] about Working with the New Boundary Warp Feature in Lightroom
Free Webinar: Creating Awesome Panoramic Photos
In this free webinar, you'll learn the essential skills to create awesome looking panoramic photos. Join Photofocus editor Rich Harrington as he shows you how to shoot Panoramic images the right way (even without a tripod). Free Webinar: Creating Awesome Panoramic Photos We'll then jump into the most streamlined postproduction. You'll learn how to assemble panoramic photos with either Lightroom or Photoshop. We'll cover how to straighten your horizon and clone out gaps and mistakes with Photoshop. Plus you'll learn how to get awesome … [Read more...] about Free Webinar: Creating Awesome Panoramic Photos
Lightroom Hangout with Special Guests RC Concepcion and the New Lightroom
You gotta join us live for our next Google+ Hangout, totally free of charge. Not only will you learn terrific techniques, but if you tune in live, you can be entered to win excellent prizes to help you in your work. (Note: MUST BE TUNED IN LIVE TO WIN). We kick of Thursday 4/30, 2:00pm Eastern, 1:00pm Central, Noon Mountain, and 11:00am Pacific. RSVP here and it'll show your local time. I don't know which I'm more excited about, that RC Concepcion is coming on the show, or that he is going to help us explore the incredible new features in … [Read more...] about Lightroom Hangout with Special Guests RC Concepcion and the New Lightroom
Lightroom CC’s New Brush Feature For The Graduated Filter
Adobe released Lightroom CC/6 this week much to the delight of its loyal users. I put together a tutorial video that walks through a few of the new features, notably the new Brush tools with the Graduated Filter, auto pano stitching, and some other smaller odds and ends that you may have overlooked. If you have any questions about Lightroom, let me know in the comments section! … [Read more...] about Lightroom CC’s New Brush Feature For The Graduated Filter
Panoramas in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC
Slightly less controversial than HDR, panoramas are also possible in Lightroom CC. Panoramic images are a series of shots that are stitched together to appear as one large image, that couldn't be captured with a single shot. Typically, a photographer will take one image, turn slightly, take another, and so on. Check out the video below to see how it's now done in Lightroom CC. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_wV1Yav6wQ … [Read more...] about Panoramas in Adobe Photoshop Lightroom CC
Say Hello to the NEW Adobe Lightroom CC!
This morning Adobe announced a major update to Lightroom! The new version is called Lightroom CC, and is a part of the Creative Cloud. (For those of you not interested in using the Creative Cloud subscription service, it can still be downloaded as a standalone application, Lightroom 6.) The new update comes with some very much anticipated improvements, so let's take a look at some of the most impressive new feature's inside of Lightroom CC:HDR Merge Yes! Finally! We can merge HDR images inside of Lightroom! Photoshop is no longer a … [Read more...] about Say Hello to the NEW Adobe Lightroom CC!
Panorama Tips and Must Have Tripod Features
Nikon D7100, 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens @28mm, F/16, 1/13s, ISO 160, five frame panorama. It's simple to make several pictures into one panorama, and I really think you should try it. Panoramas are usually wider than your average picture, and this is good because our daily view of the world is also very wide (just stretch your arms out to the sides and compare where you can see them compared to above and below your face). Photoshop makes it easy to stitch pictures together, and there are many other excellent applications that do it, too; but … [Read more...] about Panorama Tips and Must Have Tripod Features
Vertical Panos Beat Wide Lenses
I've been talking a lot about using primes lenses, lately (thanks LensRentals.com), and how great they are for growing your vision. I mentioned in the first post that when your prime lens is too limiting, you can shoot a panorama to get the view you desire. Well, I found myself on a rooftop in Chicago the other day (more on that below) and my widest lens was the terrific Olympus 17mm f/1.8 for Micro 4/3, which is similar to a 35mm lens on a full frame DSLR. However, when Chicago is spilling out before you on a beautiful night, it's just not … [Read more...] about Vertical Panos Beat Wide Lenses
Join My Time-Lapse Video and Panoramic Photography Workshop
If you're into Time-Lapse Video and Panoramic Photography, I'll be co-leading a workshop in Las Vegas in 10 days. Join me for both a classroom tutorial and a hands-on afternoon field trip to Red Rock Canyon Conservatory where you will capture shots of the park and sunset. Some shots from an earlier year's workshop: Attendees will learn the best practices and techniques for shooting time-lapse video and panoramic photography in one of the most scenic settings in the country. Registration includes round-trip transportation from the Las Vegas … [Read more...] about Join My Time-Lapse Video and Panoramic Photography Workshop
More on Ron Pepper — Panoramic and HDR Photographer
Our last podcast features Ron Pepper, a photographer who specializes in Panoramic and HDR photos. His company PanoramaNETWORK works globally to capture modern, 360 degree by 180 degree panoramic photography viewable by a variety of interactive players. Previously known as virtual tours, panoramic photography has become widely popular. It's a common form of commercial photography and used as sales tools by many businesses including, restaurants, clubs, schools, and interior designers. These groups often find it useful to to display … [Read more...] about More on Ron Pepper — Panoramic and HDR Photographer
How to Merge Handheld Panoramic Photos
You can also see the video here. Learn how to merge handheld panos and remove all distortion from the shot with Adobe Photoshop. The Photomerge feature in Photoshop is very forgiving of uneven shots, varying overlap, and even exposure changes. This feature works with almost any version of Photoshop you'll find installed today. http://vimeo.com/66529437 NOTE: This screen cast teaches AN approach to solving problems using various Adobe products. No claim is made that this is the ONLY way or even the BEST way. We are merely trying to show … [Read more...] about How to Merge Handheld Panoramic Photos
All Raw Panoramic Workflow
Whether you're using Photoshop CS6 or CC, this workflow will give you better looking panoramic photos. Learn to develop the raw files, get the best merge, then remove wide-angle distortion. _______ … [Read more...] about All Raw Panoramic Workflow
A Cool Phone App for Panoramic Photos (Even 360˚ Shots)
I just wrapped up two days in the desert shooting panoramic and time-lapse shots (much more to come). It was a part of two projects (some new training for Lynda.com which will be out soon and my NAB workshop). While in the field I had a chance to try out some new phone apps. One of the one's I put through the paces is 360 Panorama by Occipital. The app is available for both iOS and Android for only 99. It behaves in a way similar to Microsoft's Photosynth, but works very fast with excellent automatic clean-up and blending. Once you press … [Read more...] about A Cool Phone App for Panoramic Photos (Even 360˚ Shots)
Basic Stitched Panorama Guidelines & Workflow
Guest Post & Photos by Hal Schmitt http://lightworkshops.com/ The stitched panorama is an excellent tool to have at your disposal for several reasons. Whether you need to boost megapixels or capture a scene beyond your lens field of view the following guidelines will help you build a solid workflow. Camera Setup -Constant White Balance -You may use AWB but before the components are stitched ensure the WB are the same. -One shot focus -Single shot drive -Use continuous high if shooting HDR panorama -Constant Aperture … [Read more...] about Basic Stitched Panorama Guidelines & Workflow
