I'm working on creating panos, trying different lenses, varying #s of photos, as well as options in LR and PS. While this one isn't particularly special as a view, I was happy with the stitching (6 photos), and the lack of distortion (used my 50mm because that was what @jgpittinger had used for a landscape and I was curious about it as a choice). The tradeoff -- not so long and narrow of a result, no distortion, fairly crisp, BUT, losing the top of the one tower. I liked that the bird happened into the frame.
I was standing on the Washington Blvd bridge looking up the south fork of the Chicago River, just to the east of the weirdly shaped building that looks like it could easily tip over.
@jgpittenger Not this time...I rarely carry more than one lens these days so I basically choose a lens to work with, then do a photowalk solely with that lens (less carrying, no need for my backpack). On previous walks I've used my 14-24 and that does so much distortion that I end up with long, skinny panos. My walkabout (the 28-300) is the one most likely to give me the info I need, but handheld, it never comes out as sharp. Lots of learning going on here between lens choice and processing! My goal is to make the right decision re lens for the particular situation. I also am beginning to see how much overlap is needed for alignment, versus overkill of too many to stitch together.
A great pano. So interesting to read about your choice of lens etc. Are you stitching the images in LR or PS? The last time I did Panos I had trouble with exposure changing as I went from left to right. I often got a join line in the sky. I need to have another go.
Sounds like you are being very disciplined in your learning and working through the various options. Your diligence is most probably why you have such a high standard of image , consistently. This would appear to be faultless.
@pamknowler One thing I've learned is that the greater the overlap, the more seamless it looks. Balancing that against a ridiculous number of images, I think the more the lighting varies, the great there overlap to prevent a weird seam. I did this one in LR. Most of the time I use PS but if it is less than about 8 photos and the overlap and alignment was decent, LR works fine. If LR doesn't work, then I try PS and sometimes it can do what LR can't.
@helenhall Disciplined or obsessive! But thank you for such a kind comment about the quality of my images. By year 6, I feel like that should be my goal.
Super shot! That 50mm rarely gets the recognition it deserves. I love mine, and use it anytime I need to walk around in town. My camera is so heavy, that a small lens is all the extra weight I can handle and still get crisp focus.
One person's obsessive is another's disciplined. I admire your self-discipline and the results eloquently demonstrate the benefits. 'Nuf said. I'm very much enjoying your pano/stitching exercises both for the skillful technique and the images themselves. Through your eyes I feel like I'm able to see your city as an insider.
@888rachel 6 shots side by side. I did it again today, from a different bridge but same idea, using my zoom. I think the 32mm setting worked quite well...am working on some different versions so probably won't post one til tomorrow, so I can see how they look, but do think the extra width worked and still prevented too much distortion. I'm finding no matter what, I do have to do post processing adjustments for distortion and for lighting.
