by True Blue

Created on: May 25, 2009   Last Updated: May 31, 2009

Creating a Panoramic photograph can be one of the most rewarding past times undertaken by any photographer. The art of capturing a stunning vista that draws you into it, and for a brief moment mesmerizes you with its breath taking view, to the extent where the rest of the world around you simply disappears. It can be a lot of fun, and very satisfying.

Tools:

You don't have to be a professional photographer or have professional tools to create a panoramic photograph and still get very good results. As long as you have the use of a digital camera, a computer to download your images to, and a digital photo editor that can stitch images together, you too can create a vista well worth talking about.

Some point and shoot cameras have a dedicated "panoramic" setting that show you the widest angle on the camera, and basically do all the work for you. If you can get three or four shots in that mode to stitch together you should get an extremely wide vista.

Using a DSLRis a little different yet the principal remains the same. With a DSLR you have the option of using a dedicated "wide angle lens" for the panoramic, as well as a tripod, timer and or remote.

Various filters too can enhance the overall effect, and if some of the shots are taken using RAW it would be a shame if you didn't try to under and over expose a few shots for further image manipulation with a HDR editor. HDRsoft can render some truly awesome images.

Preparation

Preparation and timing are the key factors that are needed to produce a spectacular view. Anyone can easily pull out a camera, where ever there are, indoors or out, and shoot a series of photos that can be stitched together for a panoramic. However the content of that panoramic will not be as good as someone's who has prepared for it by doing a little bit of homework first.

Homework

Finding a place that offers a great view is not too difficult if you spend some time on researching an ideal location. When you think you've found a place that will offer you the fantastic views you desire, think about the best time of day to shoot.

Dawn is a very good time to shoot if the weather holds out because you then get the rest of the morning to practice on your photography, and if necessary change you location.

Dusk, or at least the couple of hours before it, is also an ideal time because the subtle shadows cast by the declining sun, give a vista a softer, almost cosy feel to it.

The mid afternoon sun can be very harsh and is normally plagued

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