How to Create HD 360º Panoramic

by Stanley LearyPhotography
 

First of all, you are going to have to invest some money in these items:

  1. Fisheye Lense – I recommend the 180º that creates a circle image. I have the Sigma Fisheye 8mm f/3.5 EX DG Circular Fisheye Autofocus Lens for Nikon AF for $899.00
  2. Nodal Panoramic head – link for some on B&H. Expect to pay about $500
  3. Panorama Image Stitching Software – I use Panoweaver 9, which runs for $299.00
  4. Good tripod to put a panoramic head on
  5. Release cable – I use an infrared remote with my Nikon D750
  6. Adobe PhotoShop – While you can use the panoramic so you can fix the floor if you don’t want a logo there. $600
Click on it to see the larger version
So here is my camera with my nodal panoramic head on a tripod.
 
 
Here is a side view
 
 
Now the other side
 
 

You will take four photos and then stitch them together with the software. Next, I create a Cubic Panorama, the six sides of a cube.

Use a remote to keep the camera very still.

 
I then export that image to PhotoShop. Using PhotoShop is where I will remove the tripod, as seen in this photograph.
 
 
To get rid of the tripod [why I use PhotoShop], I go to filter and select vanishing point
 
 
Next, I select the cloning tool, hold the option key, and select the area I want to clone from to fill over the tripod.
 
 
Because I chose the vanishing point, the cloning will keep all the dots in perspective and makes for easy patching. Great for floors where tiles and other patterns are not always squared but more often slightly askew.

Now, I am using the more expensive Panoweaver to have something that works on mobile devices like the iPad and iPhone. There are two versions created; one is flash based and has the little planet view that you see at the top and below. I have you fly down into the panoramic, creating a video-like feel to the panoramic.

Now, if that were all there is to this, it would be super easy. However, after doing this for about ten years, I have found that the knowledge of stitching helps you pick better locations. For that reason, if you enjoy them and would like me to create them for your place of work or something else, give me a shout.