Burntside Lake fog panoramics

[Steve Foss]

Hey all:

I was en route to some fishing Sunday morning driving across Burntside Lake with all the cool fog surrounding us, and though fishing was my mission for the day, I had to stop a few times and get some pictures, as you'd understand.

These are multiple images stitched together simply using the PhotoStitch software provided by Canon with the camera, and were carefully shot handheld with the 30D and 100-400 on manual settings.

When shooting stitched panos like this, it's far, far better to use a level tripod and to carefully pan from one direction to the other, overlapping each image just a bit to make sure you've captured it all. Manual settings must be used (check you histogram to get exposure right first with test shots) because exposure values will force changes to aperture and/or shutter speed in automatic modes, and then the images won't match in exposure as you try to stitch them. I've stitched together as many as 7 images into a single pano so far with good success.

Wish I had a client's wall with 12 feet of horizontal space begging for a pano!

These are quite a bit bigger than what I usually post because they are panoramics, and most will have to scroll from side to side to see the whole images.

[finnbay]

Neat shots, Steve1 I always think fog gives a lot to a photo - like jonny's fenceline last week. I particularly like the one where the fog looks like it's layered. Good job of stitching, too!

[Steve Foss]

Thanks, Ken. I'd like to take credit for the stitching, but it's really pretty automated if the captures are evenly exposed.

I also forgot to mention the technique works poorly in changing light. Regardless of settings, if the quality or intensity of the light is waxing and waning through the process, you're not going to be satisfied with the results.

Here's one more where the light changed just a bit in one of the frames and I had to spend a few minutes in photoshop making it right.

A very different shot, anyway, because the sun was behind me for this one while the first two panos were somewhat backlit. Different effect for sure.

[MN Shutterbug]

Very cool.

[Dbl]

I like that third shot Steve, the sun lit rocks give just a bit of color. Great job on the blending!

[finnbay]

I like that third one, too!

[WCS]

Steve,

Those are some really nice photos. That first one is my favorite. It would sure look nice on a 12 foot horizontal space.

[Steve Foss]

Thanks again, everyone.

 Originally Posted By: WCS

Steve,

Those are some really nice photos. That first one is my favorite. It would sure look nice on a 12 foot horizontal space.

Well, someday, maybe. Just nice to know the stitching software exists that can allow us to do this type of thing without plopping down $8,000 on a 1DsMkIII. It's the type of thing anyone can do if they have a tripod and a camera, DSLR or point and shoot, that can be shot on manual settings.

[mountaindew]

Those are VERY nice photos! The first one is my favorite. I'm going to learn that pano soon! The fogs are awesome! Great photos!

[DMN]

I like the first one the best.

Do you feel guilty living in such a facinating area?

DMN

[Steve Foss]

DMN, I feel guilty all the time because I'm a Catholic. We feel guilty no matter WHERE we live!

[Moose]

I like the 3rd one also Steve. I like the color on the shoreline in that image.

[dukhnt]

First one is my fav. Nice work Steve.

[Jim Almquist]

All very cool shots Steve but the first is my fav

[fishgutz77]

Catfish, we had the same thing on big trout on saturday but it wasn't fog it was inversion. car exhaust and furnace exhaust dropped on to the lake and wouldn't move due to perfect calm. we had a cloud come right over us and then drop and you could smell exactly what it was.did you notice anything like that?

Great photo's no matter what it was.

[Steve Foss]

Nope, wasn't inversion here. Just fog.

[DMN]

stfcatfish

That's good too, but thought you might say "It's tough, but someone's got to do it"

DMN

[yakfisher]

I like the third one too. I've seen fog like that a few times in my career, but I haven't ever had the opportunity to get a photo. I think you did fine work performing as the tripod as well.

[pickinupafew]

Very nice Steve. I can't really big a favorite between #2 and #3.

Nice stitch work. I bet these look fantastic printed out large.

.... decided. #3 is my pick.