Camera Photography Tips

A gorgeous mountain view is in front of you. How can you ever capture the beauty and the feeling that this valley stretches on forever? The answer, of course, is a panoramic photo. Unfortunately, you don't have a panorama camera. No worries! You can take amazing panoramic photos with just your Canon digital camera and the special software that comes with all Canon cameras.

You only need three things to take panoramics like a pro:

1.A digital camera
2.A tripod
3.A computer loaded with Canon's PhotoStitch software

Once you've got your equipment together, follow these simple step-by-step instructions for taking the photos:

Set your digital camera to JPEG resolution. Use a file size of at least 2048 x 1536 pixels. Also, use the highest quality setting your camera features.

Decide how much of the scene you want to include in your panorama. Where will the photo begin and where will it end?

Starting at the left and working your way to the right, take a series of photos spanning the width of the scene. Be sure that you keep your feet in the same place while snapping the shots; just swivel your hips. Another option is to use a tripod, taking care to keep it level with the ground.

Overlap each shot by between 30% and 50%. Keep the horizon as level as possible by making sure that it stays in the same position in your viewfinder. Don't change any settings between shots.

A couple of quick tips for getting a flawless panoramic picture:

1.Work as quickly as possible to avoid changes in light.

2.Watch for moving objects or any other changes in the scene. Your finished product will be less than perfect if the scene changes from one shot to the next.

Now that the pictures have been taken with your Canon Digital Camera, it's time to fire up your computer and put your PhotoStitch software to work!

1.Download the images from your camera onto your computer and open PhotoStitch.

2.When the program is open, click on the Open tab located in the Selection and Arrangement folder. Then, select the images you want to stitch together. If the images don't load in the correct order, simply click on the Arrange tab and drag the images into place.

3.Click on the Merge folder and check the Merge Settings to make sure the correct Shoot Technique setting is selected.

4.Click Start to begin merging the images. You'll notice that there are buttons that allow you to enlarge or reduce the images so they're easier to view. To make adjustments to the merge, click on Display Seams and select the areas you want to change. You'll then be able to drag the image horizontally for a smoother seam.

5.When you're satisfied with the way the image looks, open the Save folder and select Save. A green rectangle will appear around the merged images indicating the area that will be saved. You can adjust the saved area by dragging the rectangle in or out. Once you have the rectangle properly placed, click on the Save tab to save the completed panorama. You are always free to go back to the saved image and fine tune it by use the editing software.

The very last step is a simple one: sit back and enjoy your work!

This article was brought to you by Canon Australia Providing Helpful Camera Photography Tips

About the Author

About Canon Canon Australia is a leading provider of advanced, simple-to-use imaging solutions for businesses and consumers. Canon's Australian R&D company, CiSRA, develops customised solutions for local customers, and exports digital imaging technologies for use in Canon products worldwide. Canon has ranked among the top-three US patent recipients for the past 16 years, and had global revenues of around $US39 billion in 2007. Canon Australia also operates Canon Finance Australia, which offers one-stop shopping for customers wanting leasing or finance services. For more information, visit canon.com.au.