Panoramic HDR question

[zombiemann]

If I were to attempt a panoramic HDR which would be better
A. Stack all of the exposures and then stitch the pano together
or
B Stitch the pano at various exposures and then stack the multiple panoramics into HDR?

 

[Bynx]

I dont think there is a choice. You can only do the HDR first which will align the shots, then you can stitch them together, which will distort for the final output.

 

[480sparky]

I've always done the HDR first. Never tried creating the panos, THEN stacking the various exposures.

 

[zombiemann]

That's what I thought, but I wanted to double check before I spent a bunch of time in processing only to realize I had screwed up

 

[nos33]

I would say whatever works the best for your setup. You could try both methods and then post the results. I have always wondered the same thing myself

 

[Bynx]

Think about it. If you have say 10 shots, five for each half of a panorama. When you make a panorama there is going to be some distortion as the software tries to line everything up. Do this 5 times for five different panoramas. I dont think there is any guarantee that any two panoramas will fit. If you do the HDR first then the 5 shots for each half will be lined up as the HDR is made. After you end up with two 5 shot HDRs then you just have to make one join only. It just wont work making the panoramas first.

 

[BZSPhotography]

I would Create the HDR then the panorama...

 

[zombiemann]

I tried it both ways, just to see what would happen. As predicted (and I kinda figured from the word go) stacking the panoramic pics was a horrible flop. I can't call it a failure because I most assuredly learned from the experience. I not only learned that ghosting is a horrible problem, but I also learned that a hex core with 8gb ram will bog down when trying to process an image that size. That is the first time this computer has even stuttered when image processing.

But I like how things turned out merging the HDRs: 4 images wide, 9 exposures per image. I probably could have gotten away with fewer. This was shot primarily to send to a friend who is currently residing overseas so he could see how low the lake level is getting. Right in front of the tripod is what is nominally a boat launch.


For the "purists":


And for those who like things a little bit more "cooked":

 

[Bynx]

Excellent job Zombie. The first one I love. The second one, not so much.

 

[zombiemann]

Excellent job Zombie. The first one I love. The second one, not so much.

Yea I figured you wouldn't care for the second one

 

[Bynx]

Well the first one is kind of flat, the second has a couple of issues, mainly in the sky. Both are pretty good. An ideal would be something in between.

 

[480sparky]

The first one just needs the black point brought up to about 22 or 25, and a bit more saturation. Maybe a little S-curve.

 

[zombiemann]

I bumped up the black point and played around with curves a little. I think this is a bit better than 1 above, but still natural looking

 

[FanBoy]

That looks real good. :thumbup:

 

[Bynx]

Yup nice final touch on that one Zombie.