Photographically speaking, a panorama is a photograph that encompasses a very wide view. I like panoramas because they reproduce a scene as if I were viewing it live by turning my head from the far left to the far right. I can view the photograph in small ‘chunks’ as I scan the entire image from the left to the right.

In the past, making a panorama was a complicated, multiple step process involving capturing the images and then stitching them together whether it be done chemically in a darkroom or digitally with a computer. I won’t go into details of making panoramas using either of these two “conventional” ways. Instead, I’ll point out the ease with which a feature on certain cameras enables me to easily make panoramas in one step.

For the past two years I’ve been using several Sony Alpha series and NEX series cameras to shoot panoramas. These cameras enjoy a feature called Sweep Panorama. When this feature is chosen, you simultaneously depress the shutter and move the camera in a sweeping fashion to the right. As you do this, the camera captures multiple images of the scene. The camera signals the completion of the sweep by halting the shutter. A few seconds afterward, the panoramic capture appears on the camera’s LCD for your review. Press the PLAY button and the image is displayed from left to right – in video fashion – but is actually a single, still panoramic image.

Above, I explained that the sweeping motion is from left to right. But in fact these Sony cameras let you sweep left to right; right to left; up to down; and down to up. These cameras also capture three dimensional appearing images using 3D Sweep Panorama that can be displayed on certain compatible 3D television sets.

Here’s a few of the panoramas that I’ve taken with various Sony cameras. You can click on each of the images to see a wide view of the panorama.
 

Red Rock Canyon, Nevada

Red Rock Canyon, Nevada
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Simply put, my picturetaking falls into one of two categories: photos taken for “others” and photos taken for personal use.

Photos that I take for others are usually jobs in which the style of the photos is dictated by the needs and desires of the client. These may be a paying client or a freebie client such as a daughter’s birthday party or a sister’s passport photo. She may need a business head shot or he may want an illustrative photo of his industrial machine. A group may want me to photograph an evening event, a restaurant desires closeups of prepared dishes for its new menu or a school a recording of the championship basketball game. Regardless of whether it is a paying or a free transaction, the client generally has a lot of input as to how the completed photos will serve the end goal.

On the other hand, when I take photos for personal use I’m the client. I am free to shoot however, whereever and whatever I like. And as you might expect, this is where I feel the greatest freedom.

While it’s exciting to go on a special outing dedicated to photography, it’s not often that I can squeeze the time into my somewhat hectic schedule. But by keeping a camera nearby, I make it a habit of looking for quick opportunities to sneak in a picture of two.

I get a lot of pleasure photographing “everyday” things such as kids, pets, garden and the like. These are subjects that are close by so I don’t have to make special arrangements to shoot them.

	I get a big kick taking pictures of the grandkids. Here’s one that’s learning to eat her spaghetti elegantly.
	This pet is part of the family. I caught him as he was taking a breather after running his head off for the past 30 minutes.
	Sometimes it pays to look up(ward). This is a majestic sycamore tree at a nearby home. It looks naked because it sheds it bark regularly.
	These colorful day lilies arrive each Spring in our front yard. I shot this one soon after an early morning shower left a few drops.
	From a distance the furrows in the field look boringly straight and parallel. Closer up I can see that the terrain isn’t flat as a pancake and makes for a nice visual.
	You may be surprised by the things that you can spot around the neighborhood. This vintage auto was sitting in an empty lot. Great color and great restoration.

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I’ll leave you with this reminder: When you’re the client, you have the freedom to shoot whenever and whatever you’d like. Don’t fall into the “no time today” trap. Nor should you believe that the camera is only for special occasions. With a little preparation (i.e. keeping your camera close by), you can surely find a few everyday subjects to photograph.

Written by: Arnie Lee

 

the cooler weather means great colors
 
As I notice the daylight hours growing shorter, I’m a little sad to see the summer slowly fading. Luckily, the arrival of fall is a sure signal that they’ll be color to accompany the change of seasons.

These brilliant colors are ready to serve as spectacular backgrounds for your photos. Don’t let the cooler temperatures keep you stuck indoors.

Here’s a few snapshots that I took today to demonstrate this theme.

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Sometimes the clouds obscure the bright sun thereby muting your subjects. At other times, the sun provides an overpowering brightness that beautifies your subjects. Whether the light is reflected or backlit, the fall offers you a prime time to capture those brilliant, rich colors. Get out there and enjoy the fall colors.

 

 

Written by Arnie Lee

 

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