has anyone attempted GIGAPIXEL photography?

[NathanO]

I've just acquired a computerized Azimuth/Elevation telescope mount that I am going to modify to be the ultimate panoramic tripod head. I'm learning how to re-program the motors so that I can create a huge panoramic. I'm going to attempt a gigapixel shot by the end of the year.

Has anyone out there tried this kind of stuff? I need the motors to react fairly quickly because I'd only like the total time to take around 2 hours to get the 440+ shots with the same lighting.

If you don't know what gigapixel photography is.... search for it in Google (or any other browser). Basically it's an extreme zoom (usually around 400mm) of a landscape of some sort that takes zoomed in pictures of everything around. A computer stitches the shots together to make it look like the scene was captured by a wide angle lens. Except.....the dimensions of the picture aren't in the 2000-3000 pixel range..... It's in the 40's-60's on each side. Huge picture. Huge resolution.

[BigFuzzy]

No, and probably won't though I do find it fascinating and impressive. Just seems like alot of work for a really detailed landscape which, in the end, you'll never print as large as it's capable of.. hahah.

I've done my own version of many shots of same subject.. just with portraits.. and a little 'twisted'.. Portrait Montages

But looking forward to you posting your first results...well, the ones you're happy to post that is!

Al

[kirbinster]

Have not done it, only 5 and 6 shot ones in photoshop, but the technology looks quite interesting. Ran across this Autopano Giga which is software that does what you are talking about.

While it may not be needed for landscapes, it is truly amazing for a city skyline. Check out the detail of this one Paris 26 Gigapixels - Interactive virtual tour of the most beautiful monuments of Paris which is of Paris.