larry@ldjames.com

Creating the Print:

Though Photoshop has a merge utility, I use Panorama Maker 4 Pro. Most of the time there are no visible seams between shots, that need to be touched up. It works for both Jpeg and Raw images. A very easy program to use.

Framing the Print:

Online vendors sell metal frames to size. Simply get the sides in the lengths you need and fasten them together. Have a local frame shop dry mount your print to white foam core.

Lastly, purchase a cut to size pane of non reflective glass. It costs twice as much as normal glass, but well worth the difference.

Click to enlarge image.

The actual size of this print is 36" wide by 12" tall. It's a very nice size for a panoramic view and you will find a number of online labs that can print in this size. The frame is black metal and 3/8" in width. Five images were shot. I find that a series of 5 or 6 horizontal shots work well. Once merged, the image size needed for this print [34" wide, 9" tall] is just right. This print is available for $35. It will be shipped direct to you from the online lab. Simply email me and I'll send you an invoice.

Click to enlarge image.

The actual size of this print is 24" wide by 16" tall. This is also a series of 5 shots, however they were all vertical shots. In this case I needed to capture the full canyon depth as well as the sky. This print is available for $35. It will be shipped direct to you from the online lab. Simply email me and I'll send you an invoice.

Getting the Shots:

Use manual exposure settings to ensure consistency amongst the series of shots. Check the exposure across all 5-6 shots and ensure proper exposure for the brightest portion.

Even lighting across all of the shots will give better results. If the lighting goes from dark to light [sunset, sunrise], expose for the brightest area. You can always bring back detail from the dark areas, but not from over-exposed bright areas.

Do not use polarizing filters as they will vary the light across the range of shots as the angle from the sun changes.

Use a tripod and be sure it's level. Shoot from left to right and overlap shots by at least 25%. A series of 5 or 6 works well.

Cover your lens with the lens cap and shoot a black image between each series of shots. It will make it much easier to determine which shots belong to which series.