Assembling Panoramic Photos: A Designer's Notebook

7.1. Stage 1

7.1.1. Taking the pictures

My plan was to take three photographs, turning my camera 120° between each picture. The rotation axis is located at the lens entry point, in the thickness of the front element of the viewing system.

Rotation axis

Level

Lens entry point

Especially when taking the first picture, it's very important that the camera be perfectly straight and level on all three axes. That first shot will become the reference point for the assembly, and will anchor the other two pictures. In this case, I stretched my arms out into space while carefully watching the camera's builtin level.

View A

I then turned the camera 120° to the right while trying to keep it at the same height and as horizontal as possible, and took the next shot (view B). I then returned to my initial position, turned 120° to the left and took the third shot the same way (view C).

View B

View C

I also photographed downward (view D), so I'd have something to fill the nadir. A downward shot isn't absolutely necessary if the ground surface is homogenous (gravel or grass, for example). Likewise, you don't need an upward shot if the zenith is uniform.

It's a good idea to train yourself to hold the camera horizontally using the level, remember to turn around the lens entry point, and accurately estimate the 120° intervals between shots. It's largely a matter of practice.

Zenith

North

Lens entry point plane

View A

0°

East

View B

120°

West

View C

240°

Nadir

View D

South