question for teckkies/artsy types

[IndiReloaded]

Okay, I'm updating my website & I want to take a group photo like this:

I did a brief search for requirements/instructions but couldn't find anything obvious (and quick).

Anyone know anything about this? A link w/idiot-proof instructions would be about right. Thanks.

[Aegis]

Tiay could probably tell you.

here's a link to some...links...that you might pursue

http://www.velocityreviews.com/forum...-panorama.html

[Mishanya]

You might want to use a wide angle lens on your camera to get that curving distortion you are after. So you can get an end results like this


This is inside a cathedral

There's more info on this here if you're interested

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Wi...le-photography

[RSK]

awesome shot, btw, i just read about these (i think), they're made with a fish lens (again, i think)... i like 'em too... 1average joe and mish... now also my photography buddies, indi too

we should get a photography section on the forums? just an idea! (guess that would be the gallery... but since hardly anyone visits that place, maybe we should...... ??

[1averagejoe]

A fisheye is a type of lens that has a viewing angle of roughly 180*(some vary a bit). Here's a great example of a photo taken with a Canon 15mm fisheye:
http://www.pbase.com/mdjak/image/64859805.

When it comes to making panoramas, you want to use the widest angle lens you have. It kind of defeats the purpose of using a telephoto to make a panorama. It is true that some wider lenses do have a bit of barrel distortion. Higher quality lenses aren't as noticeable. Something you normally don't want on a normal wide angle lens. By design wider angle lenses are more prone to barrel distortion. And longer telephoto lenses are more prone to pin cushion distortion.
Here's what barrel distortion is:
http://www.imagetrendsinc.com/images...ch_hemi_08.jpg
Here's pincushion:
http://www.imagetrendsinc.com/images...ch_hemi_09.jpg

Those photos that were previously posted aren't taken directly out of the camera like that. They're composed of multiple photos stitched together to form one. They're called panoramas.

It's possible to create panoramas that have viewing angles as large as 360*. Basically you set up a camera on a tripod, and take pictures from all sides. Then take those photos and stitch them together to get one image. Like this:
http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/photos/2...le_UofT_01.jpg

You can also make panoramas with a smaller viewing angle. Like such:
http://www.diamondzenterprises.net/images/MNTRNJPEG.jpg

There are a few factors to actually making these though. The camera must be set in manual mode. Because if you have varying exposures and depth of fields it will be extremely obvious where the photos meet up.

Hope that cleared up a few things.

[IndiReloaded]

Thanks everyone. 1AJ, we have a tripod & an old, high quality Pentax. I also have a digital cam, but I think the old film one might be better for this purpose. I think what you describe is what I am needing, thanks again.

[1averagejoe]

I'd recommend sticking with digital. As long as it's not a complete piece of junk. For the reason that, with film you're going to need to scan the prints, unless you get a cd done. But the problem with getting a CD is a lot of places will touch up and mess with the photos colors/contrasts. And if one photo was touched up more than the other you'll see it when you stitch them together.

Plus it's just a lot easier and one less step you've got to do.

Just remember, use it in manual and keep the aperature/shutter speed/iso/whitebalance all the same.

Good luck,

Let me know if you need any help.

[IndiReloaded]

That's true, I forgot I'd need to scan the prints. Okay, digital it is. I have Illustrator (and Canvas & PS), I'm pretty sure one of those will let me splice the images together in a circle. Thanks.

[boobaa]

I don't remember if this feature was in CS2 or 3, but you need to take a panorama shot before and then check the panorama options. If I get my new powerful laptop, I'd give it a look since I seem to have forgotten where exactly it was. Tt is definately not slicing, more of a 3d shape panoramic warp, just a few clicks, i did it a while ago.

[IndiReloaded]

Quote:

Originally Posted by boobaa

I don't remember if this feature was in CS2 or 3,

Sorry, but which program (I assume?) is this? Canvas? Or did you mean Photoshop?

[Aegis]

photoshop, I believe

[Illusional]

isn't our planet made up of 75% water??

raverboy

[IndiReloaded]

Global warming?

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhh I have kind of stopped in the digital area... do a lot of film stuff now.


But it looks like you'd just use a program to put an image to an arc.

Also, could I maybe see your website?

(I'll show you mine, if you'll show me yours... even though it's kind of under construction)