PANORAMIC PHOTOGRAPHY

Intro to Panoramic Photography

Shooting panoramic photography is both challenging and rewarding. The process requires some technical skill as well as some trial and error to achieve high quality images. However, capturing just the right image, offers a unique way to showcase a terrain, building or vista. A panoramic view can truly capture the essence and grandeur of a location and transfer the experience of being there quite effectively.

My Panoramic Photography Journey

I first started shooting panoramic photography in the early 2000s. Although I don’t remember the exact year, I knew almost immediately that it was something I wanted to master. I read several books and scoured dozens of websites to gain the necessary insight to delve deeper into the process. What really changed things for me, and opened the door to capturing images I was proud to share, was getting out in the field and actually shooting. Initially, I didn’t have the best equipment and wasn’t sure how to present my final images. However, I quickly realized that shooting and capturing images to experiment with on my computer was essential to learning the process and advancing to the next level.

Panoramic Photography Gallery

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  Panoramic View of Cheyenne Wy
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  Panoramic View of Lake Las Vegas
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  Panoramic View of Las Vegas Strip
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  Panoramic View of Red Rock Canyon
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  Panoramic View of Hoover Dam
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  Panoramic View of Badlands
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  Panoramic View of Mount Charleston
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  Panoramic View of Gran Tetons
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  Panoramic View of Yellowstone

Challenges and Discoveries in the Field

After countless hours of shooting, amassing a huge collection of images that would become panoramic shots, I began experimenting with different software and techniques to stitch the images together. Although I don’t recall the names of the applications I tried, some were helpful while most were too difficult or failed to deliver the desired results. Eventually, I figured out a workflow and created some interesting panoramas. Back then, the Internet required everything to be compressed to the point where the images were barely visible onscreen. Despite this, I was determined to share my work with others and continued to press on.

Modern Workflow and Essential Skills

These days, the process and workflow are much more straightforward. With tools like Photoshop and Lightroom, which have built-in stitching tools, it’s a matter of curating the properly shot images and running them through the stitching process. While it may seem simple, achieving high-quality results still requires knowledge and patience. It also takes considerable skill to correctly capture the images needed for stitching. Understanding how to shoot and what to shoot is crucial. I’ve had more than enough expeditions where I traveled hundreds of miles from home for panoramic photography, only to realize I’d forgotten a tool or shot something incorrectly. Therefore, my number one recommendation is to approach this endeavor with a surplus of patience and determination.

Resources and Continuing the Journey

There are plenty of resources available to help photographers of all levels gain the skill and knowledge necessary to master panoramic photography. I’ll provide some links here, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact me. However, by no means is this introduction to panoramic photography an exhaustive guide. In fact, I’m still learning and far from mastering the skill myself.

Monetizing Your Panoramic Photography

Are there ways to make money shooting panoramic photography? Absolutely. Below are a few methods I’ve used personally to earn some extra income on occasion.

• Sell prints of your panoramic photography. This is one of the most rewarding ways to earn income with your photography. Knowing that others appreciate your work enough to purchase a print and hang it on their wall is gratifying on many levels.
• Integrate your panoramic photography into videos. This is a less direct way of earning income from your photography, but it offers several opportunities to get exposure while also getting paid.
• Offer your services as a panoramic photographer to Realtors, businesses, and others who need these type of images.
• Virtual Tours: Virtual tours are highly sought after in real estate, tourism and for educational purposes. Panoramic photography is an essential part of virtual tours.
• Collaborations with Brands: Partner with brands to create sponsored content or promotional material.

Additional Income-Earning Ideas:

• Photography Books: Though I haven’t done this myself, I have several friends who have and it can be a good source of income. The key to success for this is partnering with the right publisher to get the exposure needed for lots of sells.
• Exhibitions and Galleries: Another idea I have yet to try, but it’s my understanding that hosting exhibitions of your panoramic photography, selling tickets for entry or selling artwork prints can be very profitable.