Sony Digital Cameras and Landscape Photographs
by Ralpapajan
A short article to show how I managed to use a Sony W30 Point and Shoot Camera to take Landscape Photographs. Some of the FREE Panoramic Software available on the web.
Simple Landscape photography
This may be accomplished using a Point and Shoot Camera, a steady hand and Free Software
I bought my tiny Sony Cybershot W30 Point and Shoot Camera just prior to going to Belize for the first time. That was in February 2007 and I didn't even take my battery charger along in the belief that the 300 high definition photographs that the manual said I could take on one charge would be more than enough. It wasn't. I took a lot more than that. It was during that trip that my love of photography that had been dormant for some years was re-kindled.
I was flying over Caye Caulker and took several photographs of the caye through the plane window. The pilot obligingly flew low-level for me.
This one was the first (accidental) panoramic photo I ever took. I didn't spot it until I saw the uploaded photos on Picasa Web Albums.
So I decided to start taking them deliberately.
The first program I used was The ClevR Stitcher and this worked well and was easy to use.
Here is a photograph taken in Belize during 2008 near San Jose Succotz in the Cayo District a mile or so from Xunantunich, the Mayan Citadel and Centre.
I worked with ClevR until a friend from Okinawa, Japan introduced me to Autostitch. This I find very easy to use as you can see below. If you have an IPhone this could be the software for you. Here is an example.
So how do you take these photos? It is simple but requires practise.
Step 1: Select a view that is too big for one frame to do it justice.
Step 2: Select the Landscape Function on the Menu.
Step 3: Focus on the left hand point you want to include ~ taking note of a dominant feature to the right of the picture.
Step 4: Take the photograph.
Step 5: Allow the image to form. And then move the focus to the right so that the selected feature is now at the left and take another photo.
Step 6: Repeat until you have covered the scene. A minimum of three, I found is best for the Point and Shoots.
Holding the camera steady. I find that using the viewfinder is easier rather than the display panel, when taking photos without an aid.
Other aids to holding the camera steadily.
The best - A Tripod.
Next - a monopod that has been secured firmly.
Lastly, depending on situation - a Bean Bag.
During October last year ~ 2010 ~ I decided to upgrade my camera and bought a Sony a390 and this added a whole new dimension to my Panorama attempts. More about that later on.
I also looked at Serif Panorama Plus and use this the most. However, another free trial download of choice would be AcroPano and this is well worth looking at.
I will also be posting an article about using Sony's Sweep Panorama System and showing examples of photos taken in Malta.
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V 10.2 MP CMOS 10x Wide-Angle Zoom Digital Camera with Optical Steady ... Capture stunning low-light images and sweeping panoramic views with the DSC-HX5V featuring an “Exmor R” CMOS Sensor. Plus catch fast action shots with up to 10 frames per ... Only $169.99 | |
Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX9V 16.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Still Camera with 16x Optical Zoom G ... Let yourself go and rejuvenate your passion for photography with the Cyber-shot® HX9V DSC-HX9V digital camera. Boasting innovative features like Full HD for crystal clear ... Only $225.0 | |
Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX100V 16.2 MP Exmor R CMOS Digital Still Camera with Carl Zeiss Vario ... Sony® DSC-HX100V – 30x optical zoom, crystal clear HD video, high speed linear focus, incredible low light performance and backlight correction for the smallest details. Only $133.0 | |
Sony A390 Digital SLR Camera (Black) The Sony α390 DSLR camera brings you the freedom of Live View, which lets you compose and shoot photos using a tiltable 2.7" (diag.) LCD screen. SteadyShot INSIDE in-camera ... Only $258.0 | |
Sony DSLR Alpha DSLR-A390L 14.2MP Digital Camera & 18-55 Lens + 4GB Kit Catch life from any angle with the Sony A390 digital SLR camera featuring Live View, which lets you compose shots via a tiltable 2.7" LCD screen. The A390 DSLR camera also ... | |
The Blue Pod - Camera Platform The blue pod is a camera platform designed for cameras or camcorders that feature off-center tripod mounts. THE pod can be set-up virtually anywhere. When you can't use a ... |
Should you wish me to answer any SIMPLE questions about Panorama Techniques using the old style ~ without Sweep Panorama ~ Sony Point and Shoot Cameras please feel free to ask.
Yes thomo85 the Panorama is a great idea. My latest camera has a 'sweep' facility and it makes quite a difference.
Yes thomo85 the Panorama is a great idea. My latest camera has a 'sweep' facility and it makes quite a difference.
Thanks for the tips. My pics are notoriously horrid.