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robert hazelwood
04-21-2008, 10:50 AM
In generating a High Dynamic Range Panorama is there a significant difference in how you generate the image. Is it better to combine the multiple images first then stitch them compared to stitching first then combining them. There appears to be advantages and potential disadvantages to both methods, and was wondering what has worked best for other members.

Additionaly has anyone used a stitching program other then Photoshop and what are your opinions on it?

Bob

Robert Amoruso
04-21-2008, 04:37 PM
Robert,

I prefer to stitch them first for each set of exposures then HDR them. So let's say I do a three image stitch with 3 exposures each, -2, 0, +2; I will stitch the -2 together, the 0 together, then the +2 together. Then I HDR the three images. I have found that I like this wofklofw best as I want to evaluate my HDR results on the whole image and not selected frames from the whole image.

I am only using PSCS3 for stitching at this time.

Roger Clark
04-21-2008, 10:28 PM
Bob,
I use ptgui. Ptgui will warp the image correcting for wide angle distortion, and lets you choose the projection.
I think the latest version will also do HDR, although I have never found the need for HDR. See ptgui.com.

Some examples:
http://www.clarkvision.com/photoinfo/large_mosaics

http://www.clarkvision.com/galleries/gallery.africa/web/zebra.sunrise.c01.23.2007.JZ3F0891-6c-1200.html

http://www.clarkvision.com/galleries/gallery.africa/web/zebras.c01.23.2007.JZ3F0584-91d-800.html

http://www.clarkvision.com/galleries/gallery.landscape-1/web/mesa.arch.rnclark.c10.2003.L4.c-800.html

Roger

Robert O'Toole
04-22-2008, 10:19 AM
Roger is correct, PTGUI does offer HDR stiching.

Oh no another imaging possibility to take up some of my free time :)

Robert

robert hazelwood
04-22-2008, 10:45 AM
Robert
I can see where this would generate some huge files, depending on number of pictures being stitched, to be processed into one HDR. What does this do to your processing time?

Bob

Robert Amoruso
04-22-2008, 01:06 PM
Bob,
I use ptgui. Ptgui will warp the image correcting for wide angle distortion, and lets you choose the projection.
I think the latest version will also do HDR, although I have never found the need for HDR. See ptgui.com.

Some examples:
http://www.clarkvision.com/photoinfo/large_mosaics

http://www.clarkvision.com/galleries/gallery.africa/web/zebra.sunrise.c01.23.2007.JZ3F0891-6c-1200.html

http://www.clarkvision.com/galleries/gallery.africa/web/zebras.c01.23.2007.JZ3F0584-91d-800.html

http://www.clarkvision.com/galleries/gallery.landscape-1/web/mesa.arch.rnclark.c10.2003.L4.c-800.html

Roger

I got beat to it. Looked this up last night. I have it but never used it. Like Mr. O'Toole, just don't have the time.

Roger Clark
04-22-2008, 08:55 PM
PTGui is actually pretty easy to learn. I understand the time issue, but this program saved me a lot of time. Time is my most important resource.
Roger

David Kennedy
04-23-2008, 01:38 PM
I actually do the opposite of Robert Amoruso: I HDR blend first and then stitch. The reason for this order is that it's difficult to ensure that each "exposure-set" of images will be stitched together in exactly the same way each time by the stitching program. HDR programs like Photomatix have a difficult time dealing with discrepancies from image to image. They do have an option in Photomatix for movement / change between images, but it works better for clouds and waves, not so much with branches that shift in position!!!

I use Autopano for most of my stitching, but I am starting to use Photoshop CS3's stitching more often. However, I like Autopano for its ability to batch-process multiple panos (I often come back from a trip with 10 potential panos, and to process them piecemeal is really painful!

Robert Amoruso
04-23-2008, 01:45 PM
I haven't done as many as David so have not run into this problem but I see what you mean. Thanks for the heads-up. Will reevaluate my workflow.