an approach to keep you in stitches… presented by n. david king

An approach to keep youAn approach to keep youIn Stitches…In Stitches…

Presented by N. David King

Panoramas and MosaicsPanoramas and Mosaics

– ““It seems to me indispensable that we, the It seems to me indispensable that we, the creators of our own time, should go to work creators of our own time, should go to work with up-to-date means.”with up-to-date means.”

Lazlo Moholy-NagyLazlo Moholy-Nagy

© N. David King


Definitions: Panoramas Vs. MosaicsDefinitions: Panoramas Vs. Mosaics– PanoramasPanoramas

Goal is a wider but nominally undistorted viewGoal is a wider but nominally undistorted viewFrames are usually on a single row side by sideFrames are usually on a single row side by side

– Mosaics (Multi-Row Panoramas)Mosaics (Multi-Row Panoramas)Goal is increased resolution of normal viewGoal is increased resolution of normal viewFrames are side by side AND multiple rowsFrames are side by side AND multiple rowsAlso used in “immersion” photographyAlso used in “immersion” photography

– Both…Both…Need a panoramic/spherical panoramic tripod headNeed a panoramic/spherical panoramic tripod headNeed to be shot with Need to be shot with exactlyexactly matching frames in terms of camera matching frames in terms of camera settingssettings

© N. David King

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Panoramas:GoalsPanoramas:Goals

– Present a Wider View of the ScenePresent a Wider View of the Scene Convey the sense of expanseConvey the sense of expanseTo better compose to emphasize the subjectTo better compose to emphasize the subject

– Avoid the overtly distorted look that comes from Avoid the overtly distorted look that comes from extreme wide-angle lensesextreme wide-angle lenses

– Can make large images rivaling prints from large Can make large images rivaling prints from large format panoramic/banquet cameras.format panoramic/banquet cameras.

© N. David King

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Mosaics: GoalsMosaics: Goals

– Capture as much detail and visual information Capture as much detail and visual information as possible; exceed human vision capabilitiesas possible; exceed human vision capabilities

– Avoid the overtly “digital” look that comes Avoid the overtly “digital” look that comes from from over-sized and over-sharpened filesover-sized and over-sharpened files

– Produce large printed images rivaling prints Produce large printed images rivaling prints from large format cameras.from large format cameras.

© N. David King

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Workshop ApproachWorkshop Approach

– The presentation will focus on MOSAICS because The presentation will focus on MOSAICS because a Panoramic photo is simply a single row mosaic. a Panoramic photo is simply a single row mosaic.

Consequently the basic Panoramic image is Consequently the basic Panoramic image is easier and quicker to assemble. If you can do a easier and quicker to assemble. If you can do a mosaic you can do any panorama.mosaic you can do any panorama.

© N. David King

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Concept for Multi-Row Panoramas (Mosaics)Concept for Multi-Row Panoramas (Mosaics)

How much EQUIVALENT Resolution can we get?How much EQUIVALENT Resolution can we get?

© N. David King

8.2 megapixels x 21 frames = 172 megapixels / less 10-15% overlap = 150 Mp+/- Or… similar to shooting with a 100mmx60mm, 150 megapixel sensor

Concept for Multi-Row Panoramas (Mosaics)?Concept for Multi-Row Panoramas (Mosaics)?

How DOES IT COMPARE TO FILM? (using 2006 technology)How DOES IT COMPARE TO FILM? (using 2006 technology)

© N. David King

Film Grain clumping diminishes resolution so at these sizes the chart somewhat understates the comparison of grain-free digital files from DSLRs

Workflow for Multi-Row Panoramas (Mosaics)Workflow for Multi-Row Panoramas (Mosaics)

The Basic workflow:The Basic workflow:

– GETTING PROPERLY EQUIPPEDGETTING PROPERLY EQUIPPED– TAKING THE SHOTSTAKING THE SHOTS– PROCESSING THE FILESPROCESSING THE FILES– ASSEMBLING (STITCHING) THE IMAGEASSEMBLING (STITCHING) THE IMAGE– POST-ASSEMBLY/PRE-EDITING WORK: POST-ASSEMBLY/PRE-EDITING WORK:

(Flatten), De-distort, Crop,(Flatten), De-distort, Crop,Fix Seams and blending jointsFix Seams and blending joints

– PROCESSING/EDITING THE STITCHED IMAGEPROCESSING/EDITING THE STITCHED IMAGE– PRINTING THE IMAGE.PRINTING THE IMAGE.

Let’s take a quick look at each step in the workflow…Let’s take a quick look at each step in the workflow…

© N. David King

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The Basic workflow: EquipmentThe Basic workflow: Equipment

– GETTING EQUIPPEDGETTING EQUIPPEDTripod and remote/cable releaseTripod and remote/cable release

Spherical-Panoramic HeadSpherical-Panoramic Head

Lenses Lenses – Primes v. ZoomsPrimes v. Zooms– Brand issuesBrand issues

Finding a Lens’s “Nodal” Point.Finding a Lens’s “Nodal” Point.

Let’s look at each in detail…Let’s look at each in detail…© N. David King

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– TRIPOD & SHUTTER RELEASETRIPOD & SHUTTER RELEASE

Get the sturdiest and most easily useable tripod you can Get the sturdiest and most easily useable tripod you can afford and which you will be willing to take with you.afford and which you will be willing to take with you.

The Tripod must be easy to level on all terrain yet hold that The Tripod must be easy to level on all terrain yet hold that position with considerble weight cantilevered off axis at position with considerble weight cantilevered off axis at times.times.

The Remote/Cable Release lets you trip the shutter without The Remote/Cable Release lets you trip the shutter without moving or shaking the camera or tripod/headmoving or shaking the camera or tripod/head

– You can also use the self timer set to 3 or more secondsYou can also use the self timer set to 3 or more seconds … …

© N. David King

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– SPHERICAL-PANORAMIC HEADSPHERICAL-PANORAMIC HEADAllows movement around the lens’s nodal point Allows movement around the lens’s nodal point on all axes.on all axes.

This eliminates perspective/spatial relationship This eliminates perspective/spatial relationship changes between frames.changes between frames.

Made by Kaidan, Bogen, Panosaurus, etc. or can Made by Kaidan, Bogen, Panosaurus, etc. or can be self made.be self made.

© N. David King

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Getting Equipped?Getting Equipped?

Equipment:Equipment:

A “SPHERICALA “SPHERICAL

PANORAMIC PANORAMIC

HEAD”HEAD”

““QTVR” head byQTVR” head by

Bogen/ManfrottoBogen/Manfrotto

© N. David King

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A “SPHERICALA “SPHERICALPANORAMIC PANORAMIC HEAD”HEAD”

““Panosaurus”Panosaurus”www.gregwired.comwww.gregwired.com$75.95$75.95

($20.00 off if you ($20.00 off if you Reference my name in Reference my name in Your order!)Your order!)

© N. David King

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A “SPHERICALA “SPHERICALPANORAMIC PANORAMIC HEAD:”HEAD:”

““Panosaurus”Panosaurus”(Horizontal(Horizontal Pivot Point)Pivot Point)

© N. David King

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A “SPHERICALA “SPHERICALPANORAMIC PANORAMIC HEAD”HEAD”

““Panosaurus”Panosaurus”(Vertical(Vertical Pivot Point)Pivot Point)

© N. David King

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Equipment: Equipment: Another Option:Another Option:

““DIGI-VIEW DIGI-VIEW CAMERA:”CAMERA:”

A View camera with A View camera with an adapter to hold an adapter to hold DSLRDSLR

© N. David King

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– LensesLenses Primes vs. ZoomsPrimes vs. Zooms

– Resolution Potential,Resolution Potential,– Focal length slippage between shots,Focal length slippage between shots,– Lens’s “Sweet Spot” (or spots).Lens’s “Sweet Spot” (or spots).

© N. David King

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– Lenses, Lenses, ContinuedContinued

Finding the Lens Nodal Point (its Optical Finding the Lens Nodal Point (its Optical Center) (Exit pupils and “H” points)Center) (Exit pupils and “H” points)

– Why bother?Why bother?

Perspective issuesPerspective issues– Usually at or near the aperture/iris ring but Usually at or near the aperture/iris ring but

sometimes not even in the lens bodysometimes not even in the lens body– Testing for itTesting for it

© N. David King

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The Basic workflow: CaptureThe Basic workflow: Capture

– TAKING THE SHOTTAKING THE SHOTPICK YOUR SHOT:PICK YOUR SHOT:

ANALYZE SCENE & INTENDED SIZE FOR ANALYZE SCENE & INTENDED SIZE FOR NUMBER OF FRAMES NEEDEDNUMBER OF FRAMES NEEDED

CHOSE PROPER LENS FOCAL LENGTHCHOSE PROPER LENS FOCAL LENGTH

SHOOTSHOOT

Let look at each in depth..Let look at each in depth..

© N. David King

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PICK YOUR SHOTPICK YOUR SHOT

– Identify the proper Scale/size of Final Identify the proper Scale/size of Final print…print…

– Assess the Need for fine detail to tell your Assess the Need for fine detail to tell your subject’s “story” or present your “vision”subject’s “story” or present your “vision”

© N. David King



How Many Frames Are Needed?How Many Frames Are Needed?

– How many Frames are needed will be based How many Frames are needed will be based on either the final print size needed and/or on either the final print size needed and/or amount of detail you desire to capture.amount of detail you desire to capture.

© N. David King



How Many Frames Are Needed?How Many Frames Are Needed?– If Based on desired final print size, it means a little If Based on desired final print size, it means a little

math is in order…math is in order…

Final Dimension = pixels/resolutionFinal Dimension = pixels/resolution

For ExampleFor Example

10 inches Wide = 10 inches Wide = 3,000pixels/300ppi3,000pixels/300ppi

© N. David King

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How Many Frames Are Needed?How Many Frames Are Needed?If based on Desired Detail, it requires some If based on Desired Detail, it requires some experience…experience…

In In mymy experience with experience with 8.2mp8.2mp**: :

18-21 frames matches 18-21 frames matches anyany large format camera. large format camera.24-27 exceeds human eye’s capture resolution and becomes 24-27 exceeds human eye’s capture resolution and becomes “Hyper-Real.”“Hyper-Real.”

– (* Using Carl Zeiss Primes for Hasselblads on Canon 20D)(* Using Carl Zeiss Primes for Hasselblads on Canon 20D)

© N. David King

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Choosing Lens Focal LengthChoosing Lens Focal Length

– What lens will give the right number of What lens will give the right number of frames?frames?

– Primes vs. Zooms reduxPrimes vs. Zooms redux

© N. David King


The Basic workflow: ProcessingThe Basic workflow: Processing

Processing The FilesProcessing The Files

– Monitor CalibrationMonitor Calibration– Batch Corrections if shot RAWBatch Corrections if shot RAW– Conversion settingsConversion settings

Bit DepthBit DepthFormatFormatResolutionResolution

Let’s look at each…Let’s look at each…

© N. David King

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Batch Corrections if shot RAWBatch Corrections if shot RAW(and if the RAW converter allows)(and if the RAW converter allows)

– (REMEMBER ALL SHOTS MUST MATCH)

Luminosity/ExposureLuminosity/Exposure

Color balance and castColor balance and cast

ScaleScale

– If Shot as JPEG lock If Shot as JPEG lock allall settings. settings.© N. David King



MONITOR/SYSTEM CALIBRATIONMONITOR/SYSTEM CALIBRATION– IT ALL STARTS HERE!!!!IT ALL STARTS HERE!!!!– GOAL: GOAL:

Use in both Open and Closed SystemsUse in both Open and Closed Systems

Print what you see Print what you see

Saves PaperSaves Paper

© N. David King



Conversion settings For conversions Conversion settings For conversions from RAW Files…from RAW Files…

‘‘Color Space’ ChoicesColor Space’ ChoicesBit Depth: 8 or Bit Depth: 8 or 1616??Format: Format: TIFFTIFF or JPEG or JPEGResolution: Printer BasedResolution: Printer Based

Epson: 360 ppiEpson: 360 ppi HP or Canon: 300 ppiHP or Canon: 300 ppi

Confusions over Printing ResolutionConfusions over Printing Resolution

© N. David King


The Basic workflow: ProcessingThe Basic workflow: ProcessingStitching the MosaicStitching the Mosaic

– Software OptionsSoftware OptionsManually in Photoshop™Manually in Photoshop™

Issue of Lens distortionIssue of Lens distortion

VERY Labor IntensiveVERY Labor Intensive

Panotools™Panotools™PT InterfacesPT Interfaces

PTAssembler™ PTAssembler™ ($39 to register)($39 to register)

PTGUI™ PTGUI™ ($80 to register)($80 to register)

OTHER STITCHERSOTHER STITCHERS

Check for Multi-Row CapabilityCheck for Multi-Row Capability© N. David King



Shoot the FramesShoot the Frames

– Camera Settings: Camera Settings: NO AUTO ANYTHING!!!!NO AUTO ANYTHING!!!!Color SpaceColor Space

– Focus adjustments for Depth of fieldFocus adjustments for Depth of field– Filter issues: Polarizers, Grads, etc.Filter issues: Polarizers, Grads, etc.– Order/Sequence of shots (Cartoon Style)Order/Sequence of shots (Cartoon Style)– Dealing with moving objectsDealing with moving objects– How long does it take?How long does it take?

© N. David King



Stitching the MosaicStitching the Mosaic– Output/File optionsOutput/File options

File size (PIXEL DIMENSION)File size (PIXEL DIMENSION)

File type (TIFF, JPEG, PSD)File type (TIFF, JPEG, PSD)

Layered or Flat?Layered or Flat?

Color Space (Color Space (sRGB, Adobe RGB, ProPhotosRGB, Adobe RGB, ProPhoto))

File Resolution (If Available)File Resolution (If Available)

Name conventions (File #1)Name conventions (File #1)

© N. David King


The Basic workflow: EditingThe Basic workflow: EditingPRELIMINARYPRELIMINARY WORK IN EDITOR WORK IN EDITOR(Following sequence is image specific) (Following sequence is image specific)

– Remove projection distortion if applicableRemove projection distortion if applicable– cropcrop– Fix seams and blending issuesFix seams and blending issues– Flatten (if still in layers)Flatten (if still in layers)– Adjust resolution if necessaryAdjust resolution if necessary– Save as Mosaic file nameSave as Mosaic file name

(Assembled File #2).(Assembled File #2).

© N. David King


The Basic workflow: EditingThe Basic workflow: EditingPROCESSING/EDITING THE IMAGEPROCESSING/EDITING THE IMAGE

((Process using the normal workflow*)Process using the normal workflow*) Tonalities (Global)Tonalities (Global)

– Levels & CurvesLevels & Curves

Color (Global)Color (Global)– Photo filter/Saturation/color balancePhoto filter/Saturation/color balance

Selective area editingSelective area editing Save Edited Master file at full sizeSave Edited Master file at full size

– (File #3).(File #3).

(Come to workflow presentations for details)(Come to workflow presentations for details)

© N. David King

And That’s All There is To ItAnd That’s All There is To It

Well… that’s all except for matting and framing a huge print.

But that’s a discussion for another seminar…

To download this presentation and other materials go to www.ndavidking.com and click on the link to “SDFair Resources” on the home page.

And Check out the Photo Program at

San Diego City College!

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

an approach to keep you in stitches… presented by n. david king

Documents

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dslrs workflow

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david kingfilm grain

basic panoramic image

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