Brisbane at night - a work in progress..

[Ext User(mark.thomas.7@gmail.com)]

I probably shouldn't post this in its current state, but I have to
beat that Rusty guy.. (O:

http://www.marktphoto.com/examples/brisbane_at_night_draft.jpg (1Mb)

Note - this is a rather large image (ie, don't forget to scroll to the
right!)

FTR, it's a 5-image stitch taken on a Fuji S9000 at 28mm equivalent
and covers a field of view of about 210°. The original is about 12000
pixels wide, so I have reduced it down to about 5000 for display
here. Stating the obvious - it's a standard non-linear (grin)
panorama taken on a tripod but without any careful levelling or a pano
head. Stitching done by PTGUI + Smartblend with no intervention from
me - because these were shot at 28mm with little overlap, I'm very
happy with PTGUI's first attempt..

It has a few issues that I shall get back to shortly, eg:
- a few stitching errors - eg at top of the roofline (I'll revisit the
control points later)
- not very well color matched/balanced (it was not shot raw)
- could use a little HDR to deal with the burnt out signs at the bus
station

Lame excuses notwithstanding! - I will be delighted to hear
constructive comments and criticism.

mt

[Ext User(Jeff R.)]

<mark.thomas.7@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:03389721-765c-48e6-8186-3063d13e52f5@d4g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
> I probably shouldn't post this in its current state, but I have to
> beat that Rusty guy.. (O:
> http://www.marktphoto.com/examples/brisbane_at_night_draft.jpg (1Mb)

> Note - this is a rather large image (ie, don't forget to scroll to the
> right!)

Hnhh!
You can't fool me!
Look at the way the lamp-posts line up with the ....
Oh, wait.

I mean:
I can see the same side of the car in both....
No, hang on....

=====

Nice one, Mark.
You're a brave man, shooting panos at 28mm, with so few frames. I'm too
easily frustrated by the barrel distortion on the edge of my wide angles,
and prefer the shotgun approach with ~80mm and lots of frames. I guess I do
miss a bit of height, then.

The ghosts in the bus shelter are exposure ghosts, not blending ghosts, yes?

Its a shame that shots like this are so difficult to display well online.
I'm looking at it 1680 pix at a time, and its still not enough. Compressed
to fit, it loses so much. I guess we'll have to find someone with access to
a big-arse printer that can take roll-paper, and print a 2 metre wide shot.
Maybe even commercially. Framing, too?

Know anyone?

--
Jeff R.
(thinking I'll get two more 22" monitors, and link them Al-Gore style)

[Ext User(PixelPix)]

On Feb 17, 9:53*am, "Jeff R." <contact...@this.ng> wrote:
> <mark.thoma...@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:03389721-765c-48e6-8186-3063d13e52f5@d4g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
>
> > I probably shouldn't post this in its current state, but I have to
> > beat that Rusty guy.. *(O:
> >http://www.marktphoto.com/examples/brisbane_at_night_draft.jpg*(1Mb)
> > Note - this is a rather large image (ie, don't forget to scroll to the
> > right!)
>
> Hnhh!
> You can't fool me!
> Look at the way the lamp-posts line up with the ....
> Oh, wait.
>
> I mean:
> I can see the same side of the car in both....
> No, hang on....
>
> *=====
>
> Nice one, Mark.
> You're a brave man, shooting panos at 28mm, with so few frames. *I'm too
> easily frustrated by the barrel distortion on the edge of my wide angles,
> and prefer the shotgun approach with ~80mm and lots of frames. *I guess I do
> miss a bit of height, then.
>
> The ghosts in the bus shelter are exposure ghosts, not blending ghosts, yes?
>
> Its a shame that shots like this are so difficult to display well online.
> I'm looking at it 1680 pix at a time, and its still not enough. Compressed
> to fit, it loses so much. *I guess we'll have to find someone with access to
> a big-arse printer that can take roll-paper, and print a 2 metre wide shot..
> Maybe even commercially. *Framing, too?
>
> Know anyone?
>
> --
> Jeff R.
> (thinking I'll get two more 22" monitors, and link them Al-Gore style)

Easy to beat me Mark..... I am finding little time to get the camera
out these days. :-(

I do like the location and think it works well for pano. The image
carries nice colour, tone and detail.... with a few blending issues
fixed up it will be a keeper for sure. (the sky looks a little
blotchy in places, so perhaps a little extra attention there with
reduces NR or sharpening??)

Jeff... I have shot a lot of panos at 17mm and never had a problem...
perhaps I use more overlap? I use 15 degrees between my images @
17mm.

Cheers

Rusty

[Ext User(Jeff R.)]

"PixelPix" <mail@pixelpix.com.au> wrote in message
news:9c873e3f-7074-4356-ba80-41a5f36dc658@s8g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
> Jeff... I have shot a lot of panos at 17mm and never had a problem...
> perhaps I use more overlap? I use 15 degrees between my images @
> 17mm.

Ow ow ow!
You must be blending the handrails and the lines on the road (etc) til the
wee small hours!

It depends on the subject matter, of course, but any time I've tried wide
angle, I've ended up with rails or curbs or eaves or gutters or other such
straight, long objects looking like they've broken their back.

I have to overlap more than 60% to avoid this, which kind'a loses the
advantage of the wide angle. (Height loss notwithstanding)

17mm! Sheesh.
More power to you.

--
Jeff R.

[Ext User(Mr.T)]

"Jeff R." <contact.me@this.ng> wrote in message
news:47b77786$0$25819$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
> You're a brave man, shooting panos at 28mm, with so few frames. I'm too
> easily frustrated by the barrel distortion on the edge of my wide angles,

Strange, most 28mm lenses don't have much barrel distortion, Zoom lenses
OTOH.........

> and prefer the shotgun approach with ~80mm and lots of frames. I guess I
do
> miss a bit of height, then.

Why, you can stack vertical as well as horizontal if you want to.

MrT.

[Ext User(Helen)]

On Feb 16, 5:40*pm, mark.thoma...@gmail.com wrote:
> I probably shouldn't post this in its current state, but I have to
> beat that Rusty guy.. *(O:
>
> http://www.marktphoto.com/examples/brisbane_at_night_draft.jpg*(1Mb)
>
> Note - this is a rather large image (ie, don't forget to scroll to the
> right!)
>
> FTR, it's a 5-image stitch taken on a Fuji S9000 at 28mm equivalent
> and covers a field of view of about 210°. *The original is about 12000
> pixels wide, so I have reduced it down to about 5000 for display
> here. *Stating the obvious - it's a standard non-linear (grin)
> panorama taken on a tripod but without any careful levelling or a pano
> head. *Stitching done by PTGUI + Smartblend with no intervention from
> me - because these were shot at 28mm with little overlap, I'm very
> happy with PTGUI's first attempt..
>
> It has a few issues that I shall get back to shortly, eg:
> - a few stitching errors - eg at top of the roofline (I'll revisit the
> control points later)
> - not very well color matched/balanced (it was not shot raw)
> - could use a little HDR to deal with the burnt out signs at the bus
> station
>
> Lame excuses notwithstanding! - I will be delighted to hear
> constructive comments and criticism.
>
> mt


Sorry Mark but I'm not experienced in stitching or HDR. FWIW, I
thought the colours were vibrant and the image was sharp for a night
shot. I just know it's a pic I enjoy looking at.
Helen

[Ext User(mark.thomas.7@gmail.com)]

On Feb 17, 9:53 am, "Jeff R." <contact...@this.ng> wrote:
> Hnhh!
> You can't fool me!
Damn. There's always someone on these groups who will spot the
cheats! (O;

> Look at the way the lamp-posts line up with the ....
> Oh, wait.
>
> I mean:
> I can see the same side of the car in both....
> No, hang on....

Haha!! I think you have my image confused with another. But I'm
still working on getting *these two images* lined up:
http://www.marktphoto.com/examples/pano_moved.jpg
Strangely, it just isn't working for me... Can you help, or do you
know anyone who can? (((O:

> Nice one, Mark.
Thanks..

> You're a brave man, shooting panos at 28mm, with so few frames. I'm too
> easily frustrated by the barrel distortion on the edge of my wide angles,
> and prefer the shotgun approach with ~80mm and lots of frames.

Yes, I pushed this one a bit far - hence the seam issues, but I think
I can tweak them into shape. I would normally shoot at around 35mm
with more overlap then fairly heavily crop the final result to remove
any outer edge glitches, but on this occasion.. I was foot-weary,
tired, hungry and just experimenting, so I sowed what I reaped...

> The ghosts in the bus shelter are exposure ghosts, not blending ghosts, yes?
Yep. I went for only a two-second exposure partly because I *wanted*
some ghosts..

> Its a shame that shots like this are so difficult to display well online.
> I'm looking at it 1680 pix at a time, and its still not enough. Compressed
> to fit, it loses so much. I guess we'll have to find someone with access to
> a big-arse printer that can take roll-paper, and print a 2 metre wide shot.
> Maybe even commercially. Framing, too?

Indeed. It's frustrating for me too - it's hard to get a feel for
what the final thing will look like. I don't currently own an A3
printer, but I do have some long glossy paper from back when I did, so
I might see how far I can push my little A4 lengthways..

My intention is to do a series of this scene in different times of
day, maybe even try merging them so it goes from night to day in one
shot, or something equally childish...

Then I'll start looking for someone to do the printing, or maybe I
might weaken and replace my big printer (after the lottery win I
expect any day now..)

Funnily enough, I have access to a huge HP roll-printer. However, its
best resolution isn't exactly up to my quality standards. OK when
viewed from a distance, but this sort of shot invites close looking.

cheers, mt

[Ext User(Jeff R.)]

"Mr.T" <MrT@home> wrote in message
news:47b783b3$0$30016$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>
> "Jeff R." <contact.me@this.ng> wrote in message
> news:47b77786$0$25819$afc38c87@news.optusnet.com.a u...
>> You're a brave man, shooting panos at 28mm, with so few frames. I'm too
>> easily frustrated by the barrel distortion on the edge of my wide angles,
>
> Strange, most 28mm lenses don't have much barrel distortion, Zoom lenses
> OTOH.........
>
>> and prefer the shotgun approach with ~80mm and lots of frames. I guess I
> do
>> miss a bit of height, then.
>
> Why, you can stack vertical as well as horizontal if you want to.

No-o-o-o-o...
I have my hair shirt and self-flagellation whips for when I want that
effect.

--
Jeff R.

[Ext User(Jeff R.)]

<mark.thomas.7@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:eec7c9d1-2b45-41f7-8967-036e590ecc64@e25g2000prg.googlegroups.com...

> Haha!! I think you have my image confused with another. But I'm
> still working on getting *these two images* lined up:
> http://www.marktphoto.com/examples/pano_moved.jpg
> Strangely, it just isn't working for me... Can you help, or do you
> know anyone who can? (((O:

Meh.
Piece of cake, with the right software and lots of professional experience.
Just keep waiting. We'll both be shown up Real Soon Now.


> Funnily enough, I have access to a huge HP roll-printer. However, its
> best resolution isn't exactly up to my quality standards. OK when
> viewed from a distance, but this sort of shot invites close looking.

My R800 can do a very nice 1.5m (or therabouts) wide shot with roll-paper,
but the sound of the ink gurgling down the hatch, and the *empty* look on
the ink cart display afterwards make me hesitant. I love my Epson, but I
think I'd outsource a pano print.
(I can see it now - 95% complete, perfect so far, then cyan runs dry.)

Within the constraints of my budget, I think some photos are destined to
remain on-screen only.

--
Jeff R.
(but at least I *can* stitch 'em!)

[Ext User(mark.thomas.7@gmail.com)]

On Feb 17, 10:49 am, Helen <helensilverb...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Sorry Mark but I'm not experienced in stitching or HDR.
That's ok, neither am I... (O:

> FWIW, I
> thought the colours were vibrant and the image was sharp for a night
> shot. I just know it's a pic I enjoy looking at.

Thanks! Just out of interest, I tried a mono version of it also - and
it looks quite interesting. Or maybe a better word is ..."unusual".
(O:

[Ext User(Helen)]

On Feb 16, 8:59*pm, mark.thoma...@gmail.com wrote:
> On Feb 17, 10:49 am, Helen <helensilverb...@hotmail.com> wrote:> Sorry Mark but I'm not experienced in stitching or HDR.
>
> That's ok, neither am I... *(O:
>
> > FWIW, *I
> > thought the colours were vibrant and the image was sharp for a night
> > shot. *I just know it's a pic I enjoy looking at.
>
> Thanks! *Just out of interest, I tried a mono version of it also - and
> it looks quite interesting. *Or maybe a better word is ..."unusual".
> (O:


Sounds interesting. I'd love to see it.
Helen

[Ext User(Troy Piggins)]

* mark.thomas.7@gmail.com is quoted & my replies are inline below
> I probably shouldn't post this in its current state, but I have to
> beat that Rusty guy.. (O:
>
> http://www.marktphoto.com/examples/brisbane_at_night_draft.jpg (1Mb)
>
> Note - this is a rather large image (ie, don't forget to scroll to the
> right!)
>
> FTR, it's a 5-image stitch taken on a Fuji S9000 at 28mm equivalent
> and covers a field of view of about 210°. The original is about 12000
> pixels wide, so I have reduced it down to about 5000 for display
> here. Stating the obvious - it's a standard non-linear (grin)
> panorama taken on a tripod but without any careful levelling or a pano
> head. Stitching done by PTGUI + Smartblend with no intervention from
> me - because these were shot at 28mm with little overlap, I'm very
> happy with PTGUI's first attempt..
>
> It has a few issues that I shall get back to shortly, eg:
> - a few stitching errors - eg at top of the roofline (I'll revisit the
> control points later)
> - not very well color matched/balanced (it was not shot raw)
> - could use a little HDR to deal with the burnt out signs at the bus
> station
>
> Lame excuses notwithstanding! - I will be delighted to hear
> constructive comments and criticism.

Nice shots Mark. I like the colours in the lights. Personally
the lit walkways at each end of the pano seem to distract me, but
I want to see the skyline of the city. Does that make sense?
Like I'd crop the ends off.

--
Troy Piggins
Please feel free to provide constructive criticism on any photos I post. I'm
always learning and appreciate feedback.

[Ext User(Rob.)]

mark.thomas.7@gmail.com wrote:
> I probably shouldn't post this in its current state, but I have to
> beat that Rusty guy.. (O:
>
> http://www.marktphoto.com/examples/brisbane_at_night_draft.jpg (1Mb)
>
> Note - this is a rather large image (ie, don't forget to scroll to the
> right!)
>

What's intrigued me is the colour balance and all the different light
sources. Its almost neutral within the interchange (fluro) yet elsewhere
is green cast. Have you set the balance or just left that on auto.

I would have liked some more detail in the sky. Not sure if the wings
distract from the centre of the image and need some toning down.

r

[Ext User(mark.thomas.7@gmail.com)]

On Feb 17, 1:01 pm, "Rob." <m...@mine.com.> wrote:
> What's intrigued me is the colour balance and all the different light
> sources. Its almost neutral within the interchange (fluro) yet elsewhere
> is green cast. Have you set the balance or just left that on auto.

I knew someone would spot the error... It's also why the sky is a
little patchy - some fool (O: had set everything to manual... *except*
the white balance! And as it wasn't shot raw, that turned out to be a
rather *bad* thing...

I individually (and rather roughly) color balanced each image and then
threw it all into the pano-bucket, Voila!

Having said that, I'm pretty happy with the colour - mixing all those
sources is fun (specially sodium/mercury? vapour and fluoros plus some
of the lighting in the Qpac appeared to be LED-based.....Can you say
'spectrum peaks'?)

I'll be interested to see how much better/worse it is when I shoot
raw. At least with Auto I had some ideas from the camera... (O:

Here's a 'monochromatique' version for Helen which overcomes the
problem, and is differently cropped (I should really have gone further
I think) for Troy...
http://www.marktphoto.com/examples/brisbane_at_night_mono.jpg

[Ext User(mark.thomas.7@gmail.com)]

On Feb 17, 8:40 am, mark.thoma...@gmail.com wrote:
>
> http://www.marktphoto.com/examples/brisbane_at_night_draft.jpg (1Mb)
>
> Note - this is a rather large image (ie, don't forget to scroll to the
> right!)
>
> FTR, it's a 5-image stitch taken on a Fuji S9000 at 28mm equivalent
> and covers a field of view of about 210°. The original is about 12000
> pixels wide, so I have reduced it down to about 5000 for display
> here.

Updated, but smaller version here:
http://www.marktphoto.com/examples/pano5copy_smallcrop.jpg

Still a little work to do...

The larger version (with a lot more stitching problems) is still there
at the link above.


Wonder when Doug will post *his* 'stepped-out' panorama?