Fun With Panoramas by Bob Coates

Introduction by Skip Cohen

Panasonic's technology is without question changing the parameters of creativity. Thanks to the LUMIX system photographers today have some of the most creative tools in the history of photography.  In this new post, Bob Coates shares one of his most favorite features of the new GX7 - panoramics and in-camera stitching.

Bob is definitely somebody who should be on your radar.  Check out his blog for professional photographers and his fine art page.  Also, check out his commercial website or contact him directly, [email protected].

Grand Rapids Airport

 I've been having a blast with my Lumix GX7. And, what I thought was going to be just a traveling camera is now being used for about 85% of my pro captures.

Viewing the world in a different way is one of the reasons I love photography. Panoramic images show slices of the world that others haven't seen. This leads to one of my favorite features in the GX7 - the in-camera panorama stitching.

Where I used to take multiple images and download them and process using either Photoshop or Autopano Pro and go through a fair amount of post processing to get to the final product I now have the ability to see the finished file immediately on the back of the camera. This saves time and gets me firing those panos more often. 

Some tips for getting the best panos from the camera.

• Set the camera for the orientation and direction you are going to move the camera. Remember if you turn the camera to the vertical orientation to shoot a horizontal scene you will get a taller image. Often shooting a horizontal image with the camera in the same orientation you end up with a really loooong and thin photo. Try it both ways to see what works best for you. The great feature is you get to see it right away and can make any adjustments you need right there.

• After you've set the panorama capture mode then you can select from various visual presets depending on your scene. You have nineteen different settings ranging from no adjustment to several black & whites to High Dynamic. Some are a little funky but I'll leave you to decide what works best for you.

• When actually capturing the pano here's an old videographer's trick. Set your feet and body pointing at the end of your shot. Then from your waist twist your body back to the start of your capture. Then press the shutter and your stomach muscles return you smoothly to the end of the shot.

There is a small preview in the viewfinder to help you see what is being rendered by the camera. If you go too fast or too slow or the camera can't make the pano because there is not enough detail for the stitching to take place, the camera tells you right away so you can start again.

Have fun trying all the new features available in the GX7. Panorama stitching is only one...

Monument Valley Sunrise

Red Butte Arboretum

Guardsman Pass

Images copyright Bob Coates. All rights reserved.