1st Attempt at a Pano and wish I had taken better pictures to make it with :-(

[neil_r]

This is my first attempt at a pano ever. I thought a panorama would be the best way to convey the scale of this but to be honest I am rather disappointed as it all looks a bit flat. I obviously need to do some more work on this technique so any tips and pointers will be gratefully received.

Click on the image for a larger size

The first is from 24 separate exposures, and the second 19

http://www.ambrosiabbs.com/gallery/photo/medium/Millau_Panorama_3.jpg
(http://www.ambrosiabbs.com/gallery/photo/large/Millau_Panorama_3.jpg)

http://www.ambrosiabbs.com/gallery/photo/medium/Millau_Panorama_1.jpg (http://www.ambrosiabbs.com/gallery/photo/large/Millau_Panorama_1.jpg)

http://www.ambrosiabbs.com/gallery/photo/medium/Millau_Panorama_2.jpg (http://www.ambrosiabbs.com/gallery/photo/large/Millau_Panorama_2.jpg)

[RSiewert]

Wow. I love these. I've never tried a pano. How do you do it?

[manipula]

I've seen some stunning shots of that bridge, not many better than the stuff done in a Top Gear feature funnily enough. One of the true engineering feats of the world as far as I'm concerned and I am longing to see it at some point.

Is there much around it or is it a pilgrimage for the bridge alone so to speak?

And it's got to be said for a first shot at panos, the stitching is smooth. Top norris.

[neil_r]

Wow. I love these. I've never tried a pano. How do you do it?

First picture is 24 exposures and the second one is 19.

The trick is to ensure that your tripod is level through however many degrees you are going to rotate your camera and then with the camera set to manual and a fixed exposure throughout, rotate the camera taking as many pictures as you require to capture the scene, I aim to get just over 50% overlap.

There are many software applications that will stitch the shots together, these were done using Photoshop CS3. Good Luck.

Is there much around it or is it a pilgrimage for the bridge alone so to speak?

This is a wonderful region of France. The Gorges du Tarn is fabulous with some stunning scenery, very pretty villages and food and wine that you cant get in the UK.

There are some more pictures of the bridge HERE (http://www.ambrosiabbs.com/gallery/list.php?exhibition=134&ee_lang=eng)

[jdizzle]

Nice Neil! I like it alot. Even though the lighting conditions weren't what you wanted, I still think these are excellent. Did you use panohead? Or did you just shoot the exposures hand held? Awesome!

[lkb-28]

Hello Neil;

I'm amazed that you haven't tried a pano before!

Personally I think #2 is the best; I think it has more of a balanced feel and the chopped top of the cliff on the left of #1 doesn't help... (Easy to point these things out after the fact!)

As for being "flat" I would have thought a slight tweak of the levels and a tad of saturation, and it'll pop out more...

Anyhow, I think these are excellent renditions. Well done.

I'm told that the drive over the bridge is breath-taking - but needs to be done BEFORE lunch!

Cheers;

Lee