Create a Panorama Photo using Photoshop

My son was showing me some of the High Dynamic Range (HDR) Photography samples on Google images and in doing more research I’ve learned that this effect can be achieved using Adobe Photoshop even if your digital camera is not capable of HDR photography. I need to do more study and try it myself in the near future. I’ll let everyone know how it goes, this should prove to be interesting!!!

In the course of researching the creation of HDR Photos in Photoshop I stumbled across something else that can be done using Photoshop that I found interesting and fun. I suppose if I’d actually learn about all the features of Photoshop I’d have known this, but I’m learning by trial and error so it’s new to me.

I’m using Adobe Photoshop CS3 but I’m sure this information can be adapted to other versions of Photoshop. I found that individual images with overlapping edges can be combined together to form a panoramic view even if the camera is not capable of this. To accomplish this you will need two or more photos with an overlapping edge(s), the example I’ve put together uses 7 photos.

Photo Comment: This is a panorama photo created using 7 individual photos of the road and surrounding area in the campground at Sakatah Lake State Park near Waterville, MN. The road runs straight through where I was standing, as you pan from side to side you can see what the camera saw as I turned my head.

Step 1. Take a series of pictures of a subject of your choice, scenery works well for this. Photos should be in order from “right to left” or “left to right”. It works well to use a tripod to help keep the photos on the same plane, my example shows why.

Step 2. Upload the photos from your camera to a folder of your choice. NOTE: Work from this folder not the files on the camera.

Step 3. Open Adobe Photoshop, click on “File”, in the dropdown choose “Automate”> and then “Photomerge”. In the box that opens click on “Browse” choose the location of your photo upload and then highlight the files you want to use and click “OK”.

Step 4. Allow Photoshop to process the files; this may take quite some time depending on your computer and processor speed. When done Photoshop will display a preview which can be saved as a .PSD or .PDD file which will be quite a large file or you can save as a .JPG file which will be smaller. Your file can also be saved in many other formats including .RAW by opening the “Format” dropdown box in the “Save As” box.

Step 5. Edit as desired and “Save As” again choosing a name for your file. NOTE: I recommend editing a copy of the file, not the original file itself.

My example is as Photoshop rendered it with no cropping or editing. As you can see a tripod would have helped keep the horizontal line more consistent. Also positioning the camera in “Portrait” instead of “Landscape” would give a taller “Ceiling” but doing this requires the rotation of your photos 90 degrees before combining them into a panorama.

Minneopa Falls, Minneopa State Park, A Study in B&W

My son and I did some photos of the Falls Area in Minneopa State Park near Mankato, MN and I thought I’d post a few of the shots.

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A Family Interest…

Things have been busy around here, we spent the winter in Arizona and now are back in Minnesota for the time being. I’ve expanded my camera collection to include another Olympus OM-1n w/Zuiko 75/150mm f 4 zoom lens, an Olympus OM-1 with a chrome nose 50mm f 1.8 lens, a Pentax ME w/winder along with other assorted lenses and accessories.

My son is, like me, very interested in photography and we have an enjoyable time shooting pictures together. We stopped at Minneopa State Park near Mankato, MN where my son and I did some photography of the falls area, my son did some color shots and I did some black and white photos which I’ll post as soon as I get them back from the lab.

I find doing photography as a family is a great way to bond with and keep communication lines open with other family members. My son, who is now 23 along with my wife and myself all enjoy working together to get that “perfect shot” and the memories made while doing so can last even longer than the photos themselves.

If a family member or friend is interested in photography encourage them to follow their dreams and build on that interest. I’ve found it to be a very rewarding hobby.

Why I Love 35mm

I have a love of photography; the format I have preferred for years is 35mm. I’m just now getting started with digital photography, I realize a little later than most folks but I’m playing catch up.

One of the main reasons I enjoy 35mm is the almost endless amount of accessories, options and choices that are available. Now with the popularity and simplicity of digital photo equipment the cost of the used 35mm equipment is at an all time low. Much of the equipment I own was purchased second hand from pawn shops, newspaper want ads and from friends.

I very much enjoy capturing that “Moment in Time” and even more so if it has a special effect quality that makes it truly unique. With digital photography special effects are easily done in camera or on your computer using photo editing software programs, many of which can be downloaded for free. To achieve the desired results all you need is the knowledge of the software program and the time to work with it. I feel there are pros to both film and digital photography but doing special effects with a film camera is more challenging and in my opinion more rewarding from an artistic point of view.

Some of my favorite extras are the Cokin Series of filters. The reason I like working with the Cokin system is the fact that you don’t need to buy the same filter in different sizes for the different size lenses. The Cokin system uses different size adaptor rings and a common filter holder to accommodate all the filters of that particular series. For example; one holder for the “A” series for use with 35mm and one holder for the “P” series for use with medium format and so on. This cuts down on the sheer volume of filters needed and thus cuts down the cost involved.

There is something about the feel of a classic SLR in my hands, the rush I get when hearing the sound of the mirror and shutter as you capture that “Moment in Time”, that I never get tired of.

Getting Started

I’m a Retired OTR Truck Driver and Self Taught Photography Enthusiast. I’ve had an interest in photography for as long as I can remember.

One of my first recollections of cameras was an Argus C-4 my parents had purchased in 1964 and I learned to use when I was just 7 or 8 years old. The first camera I bought for myself at age 16 was a Canon Canonet QL17 35mm w/45mm f1.7 Lens which I used for years, sold to a friend, bought back again and used for many more years, then sold to my brother.

Since then I’ve started a small collection of 35mm camera bodies and lenses which includes an Olympus OM-1n, OM-2 S-Program, OM 10, 2 Pentax/Asahi K-1000’s, Pentax ME Super and a Pentax ZX-M.

I plan to post some of what I’ve learned and some of the photos I’ve taken over the years. Hopefully you will enjoy them and I can possibly learn something from you also.