panorama with moving subject

[boubou]

I´m trying to get a panorama with a moving subject: my boyfriend diving in a swimming pool. But when I edit the pictures in photoshop CS3, there is one leg missing, or one arm, or two boddies overlapping (like on the picture)... What is the technique to have the same boddy in action, appearring a lot of times in the same panorama?

[Deckham]

At the moment, your model is being captured at different parts of the frame. Ideally, you want him at roughly the same relative area per shot. So, pan steadily (a monopod helps), and keep him in a relatively similar position in-frame as he runs (middle better then edge). You can use AI Servo and a selected focus point if you like. This will help since he will be closest when he is level with your lens, and further away at the start and end (arc).

[neumanns]

Google multiplicity... That is the technique used for normal photo's.

I have not done what you are attempting but perhaps you could shoot your panorama and then go back and pan him as he dives and use multiplicty style editing.

Also if you allow pleanty of overlap Luminous landscape has a tutorial on blending pano's that may also help...The use of the eraser in blending is helpful. May help you get rid of stray limbs, but it has it's limits.

[boubou]

I still have the problem, even if I keep the subject in the middle. I would like to try the Canon software PhotoStitch. I know I have it back home on a CD, that comes when I bought my camera, but I´m travelling a lot and will go back home in 6 months. So, do you know where I can download it for free? Thanks

[neumanns]

Search "Hugin" ... It's a freeware stitching software, I have not used it yet. But it comes highly recomended and I have been told it outputs layered files so you can then take it into CS3

[chauncey]

Take as many images of your boyfried as needed without moving tripod.

Merge enough images to get the start and finish and all the background in between
being sure to align the images manually to avoid having the merge software move pixels around.

Then clone the boyfriend from your original images onto the new photomerge in the proper place.
If you match the set points in the correct place it's no big deal but it do take practice with the software.

Here's an example that I posted on Critique Section with one GB on lift-off.
.
http://i329.photobucket.com/albums/l383/chauncey43/Untitled_Panorama3-copy.jpg

Any number is possible but every source should be spot perfect.

Good luck