Learn How To Photograph Panoramic Landscape Photography: Panorama Photography tips

Subject:

The best locations for panoramic images are places that overlook the landscape, i.e. standing on the top of a mountain, looking down from an elevated viewpoint or on the shore of a lake.

Lighting:

The best light of the day is usually early morning or late during the “Golden Hour” when low light shows more detail across the landscape. It is important to shoot a panorama that has even light from one side to the other, else it will lead to problems with overall exposure, so consider your angle to the sun.

Composition:

Unless you have specialised calibrated panoramic equipment avoid taking photos with objects in the immediate foreground. Photos with objects in the foreground can be difficult to stitch together and create a distorted image.

Quick Guide for Shooting a Panorama

1. Set the tripod on a firm surface and check it is level.

1. Set all camera settings to manual, including white balance.

1. Check camera focus and then disable autofocus.

1. Take a single picture and check the exposure.

1. Start your pano from the left. Take your first photo and rotate the camera right, allowing images to overlap by at least 20%.

Visually inspect all images on the LCD to make sure that you do not have any problems with your setup.

Capture panoramas of the the South Island grandest landscapes on a 4-Day Fiordland Photography Tour this Autumn with New Zealand Photography Workshops

About the Author

Richard Young is a full-time landscape and wildlife photographer based in Wellington. He has been guiding groups of photographers in New Zealand since 2010 and founded New Zealand Photography Workshops in 2013.

One Comment

Shelli June 20, 2020 at 5:05 pm Reply

Thank you! I have used pano on my iPhone and only rarely am I pleased. I guess I need more trial and less error. Your tips are greatly appreciated.