Here’s a shot I took yesterday of Bartow and Tiffany. I’ve been thinking a bit about the “Brenizer method” (or bokeh panoramas) recently, given that finally I have been working on a cogent, well-produced set of instructions (with some great help along the way). As I’ve noted before, the thing that really changes when you create a panorama is the sensor — it’s the same lens, same distance to subject, you’re just essentially making your sensor bigger. But I never thought about how simple that makes the answer to the commonly asked question — “what sort of camera is this emulating?”. Just simple measurement, compared to your original frame. Here’s a sample where one of the original frames have been inverted:
As that’s a 36x24mm frame, the total image ends up being like it was shot with an 8×9 cm camera — either “large medium format” or small” medium format, since it’s just a little smaller than a 4×5″ frame. Of course you could run out and get an actual 4×5″ frame, and maybe even set it up and shoot it in the middle of the street, but good luck finding a 105mm f/1.8 that will fit it.
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Camera: Nikon D3s
Lens: 38-image “Brenizer method” panorama with the Nikon 105mm f/1.8 AIS
Lynn - If I may, here are a few other tips. I do this method often but I’m still far from making it look as good as Ryan. I made a lot of mistakes in the beginning so here are things I wish I knew at the start:
1) Overlap _at least_ 25% to start: it sounds like a lot but I’ve done a huge pano only to miss a critical area in the shot. I think as you get to know your software and yourself better you can be more efficient with the shots.
2) Start in the middle: get your subjects done quickly. If you are shooting people, often times they will move significantly by your last frame. Personally I have my own pattern (a spiral starting in the middle) so I don’t miss much anymore.
3) FULL MANUAL: not only on ‘M’ mode, but make sure your WB is manual and your lens is on manual focus. It can be done without it but it sure makes it easier.
4) Shoot often: the biggest factor in making this look good in my opinion is picking a good ‘distance-to-subject’ depending on the lens. No one can really tell you this, just shoot to find out :)
Rifqi - Really like it, it’s subtle but the effect is great.