Lake Liyu

[steeb]

What a veiw! Is there a way to take multiple pics and keep a good exposure for all of the images?




This pic was made up of 3 images stitched together.
The sky on the left side (near to where the sun was) is very washed out. Is there a way to take multiple pics and keep a good exposure for all of the images? If there is any other advice about this image I would be greatfull for you comments.


Camera Canon Digital IXUS 870 IS
Exposure 0.003 sec (1/320)
Aperture f/2.8
Focal Length 5 mm
ISO Speed 80
Exposure Bias 0 EV
Flash Off, Did not fire
Orientation Horizontal (normal)

[dlambert]

Since you have to keep exposure consistent in all shots to avoid seams, exposure differences across the shot are pretty common. You might be able to improve some of this in post-processing, but it really doesn't seem too bad.

I'm not sure what software you're using to stitch the photos, but you might be able to straighten out some of the lines in the shot (horizon, docks) using either lens correction prior to stitching or by setting straight lines in stitching itself. I've been using Hugin for my panoramas, and it lets you indicate where straight lines are supposed to be, and then it stitches to preserve those lines. In the picture here, I had to designate the docks and some of the building roofs as straight, because I was ending up with warped lines. Hugin did a pretty good job of straightening the lines during stitching.

[Krusty79]

If steeb had used a graduated neutral density filter on the sky for the shot on the left, would it ruin the continuity with the other shots?

[dlambert]

That might be interesting to try. You could also try to knock down some of the highlights in post-processing on that side only. Here's a *really* weak attempt - you could do a lot better than this with better tools and more time. (attachment below, hopefully)

[steeb]

Thanks for the advice David, I'll have a look at the software you use and see if it's better than my canon photostitch.
steve

[dlambert]

Steve - you'll probably find it's not quite as easy to use, but it's very flexible. FYI, I'm evaluating DxO Optics Pro right now, and it's able to automatically correct lens distortion based on a database of lens characteristics for known lenses. I'm hopeful that this might improve some of my panoramas, too.