Friday (19-January-2018) — New Jersey

Backyard Winter Nature in New Jersey: Colorful Clouds at Dawn.

The clouds lit up a bit more this morning. A comparison to two methods for creating a panoramic landscape image. The first is my normal workflow where I take a series of portrait images, overlapping about 1/3 from the previous image. I then process the raw images using Capture One Pro, and create the composite panoramic image using AutoPano Giga Pro. Since I am processing the raw images, I have more control over the colors and saturation. [note – click on the image for a wider view]

Dawn Morning Clouds. Winter Backyard Nature in New Jersey. Composite of 10 images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and the composite generated with AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)
Dawn Morning Clouds. Winter Backyard Nature in New Jersey. Composite of 10 images taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). Raw images processed with Capture One Pro and the composite generated with AutoPano Giga Pro. (David J Mathre)

The second method uses the in-camera panorama feature of the Fuji XT series cameras. You select the camera mode (landscape or portrait), rotation direction, and range (medium or wide). Set the ISO, white balance, aperture, and shutter speed. Then press the shutter button and start to smoothly rotate, trying to keep the horizon level. When done, the camera processes the images in the cameras as a jpg panorama. Since it is a jpg image, it is important that the camera settings for the exposure and white balance are correct. It is also important to use a fast shutter speed since you are moving the camera as the images are being taken. The colors this example are more saturated (Fuji jpg).

Dawn Morning Clouds. Winter Backyard Nature in New Jersey. In-camera (jpg) panorama taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)
Dawn Morning Clouds. Winter Backyard Nature in New Jersey. In-camera (jpg) panorama taken with a Fuji X-T1 camera and 16 mm f/1.4 lens (ISO 200, 16 mm, f/5.6, 1/60 sec). (David J Mathre)

Author: David Mathre

I am a scientist by training (Eckerd College, BSc; Caltech, Ph.D.). I worked for 27 years as a Chemist in the Pharmaceutical Industry developing processes to manufacture medicines for human and animal health. I now spend my time as a photographer and world traveler. My interests include the natural world, wildlife, landscapes, sky, and seascapes, travel, and astrophotography. I look for unique ways of viewing the world and presenting my images. I have traveled to over 55 countries in six continents, often on Semester at Sea voyages. While at home in New Jersey, I spend time on home renovation and expansion of a wildflower garden/meadow.

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