PanoTools:
RE: Re: helicopter panorama - shooting method
Edward Fink 2005-Jun-11 17:46:39
Thanks for trying, Bernhard. I've always been so close to the
nodal point on everything I've done, and until last week I'd never even
used a monopod, so I've been worried that it was my inexperience dealing
with non-tripod panoramas that was the problem. So I really appreciate
you trying it yourself.
Without a doubt my biggest mistake so far has been in thinking
that I had lots of slack because of the altitude. I'm sure it'd be
easier over a forest, but I don't even know where to start trying to fix
a panorama where one shot looks straight down a city street, and the
opposite shot is looking straight down a DIFFERENT street.
If I get another chance I'm going to try a pole or monopod.
I'll be doing some measurements and/or tests to make sure my monopod can
extend below the skids and still give me plenty of room to hold on to it
without leaning way out.
I REALLY wish I had a D70s instead of my D70!!! Using Nikon
Capture on the laptop for a remote shutter release causes the image to
be written to the laptop instead of the camera's flash card. That's not
only slow, but it means I must have a third person along to hold the
laptop and fire the shutter while I hold the camera and monopod.
Yesterday I tried shooting with my monopod sticking out over the
observation deck of a 30 floor building. I have to say, it seems so
easy when talking about it, but actually DOING it makes you realize what
a very serious thing it is. I ended up choosing my location based on
what the camera might fall on, instead of the best view. I triple
checked everything to make sure it was TIGHT, then gave it to my son to
check again. I wasn't just nervous when I held it over the edge - I was
downright scared, and my heart was pounding. My hands got sweaty, which
made me worry about the monopod slipping, which caused my hands to sweat
even more. :)
I'll try that a few more times before I do it in the air. It
was a good test, if nothing else because I found that when I'm that
nervous, or "careful", I move very slowly, and I need to take that into
account.
For my next dry run I want to sit on a railroad bridge and hold
the camera and monopod straight down next to me so it's more like how
I'll be holding it from the helicopter.
Ed
-----Original Message-----
From: #removed# [mailto:#removed#] On
Behalf Of Bernhard Vogl
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2005 7:31 AM
To: #removed#
Subject: [PanoTools] Re: helicopter panorama - shooting method
Hello Edward,
I've played around with the images you provided and i am sorry to tell
you that there is no chance to stitch a good panorama with these.
Basic considerations:
- This is an architectural shot. There is no room for "creative
adaption"
- Most important image areas are the horizon and the nadir area. If you
you can't stitch these, you're lost.
- My idea of a matching workflow was, to stitch a good horizon-area down
to approx. -50 to -60 degrees. For the area below that i intended to fit
in a separate nadir shot.
So what went wrong?
The failures of the pilot have already been discussed at large. He did
fly a curve with inreasing radius. I doubt that he did this for security
reasons: the speed would have been still to low to switch to
autorotation if the engine fails...
What are the failures of the photographer? (I hope you don't take this
too personal)
- You shot many images (they are more than enough) but you didn't finish
the "overshooting-circle". There is a "big" gap between the 0 and 360
degree area, compared to the other images. This makes it difficult to
calculate lens parameters for a nicely fitting seam. Nethertheless - the
horizon area can be stitched flawlessly by completely ignoring the nadir
area.
- This makes it important to have a good nadir shot. The "nadir" images
you have, are not really nadir shots, as the skids of the helicopter are
in the way. Even worse, the most difficult part of this area is missing:
The skyscraper area.
So there isn't even a chance to assemble the nadir area with some of the
provided images.
_If_ you think about re-shooting with the helicopter, think about a way
to retrieve a good nadir shot. There seems to be enough room between the
heli and the skids to hold down a monopod in between (don't forget to
secure all parts of the equipment with a strap tied to the helicopter).
You may instruct the pilot to fly above your "nadir area" several times
to be able to select the best matching one afterwards.
Given the facts of the shootings so far, you may also think about a less
complicated way of shooting your panorama.
One idea that came into my mind: I was working for a small radio station
several years ago. For advertisment purposes we rent a small helium
balloon about 5 meters in diameter and we were allowed to rise the
balloon in the center of a large town.
The balloon is strong enough to carry the needed equipment: A remote
controlled rig (like the ones, the kite flyers use) hanging down on a
platform a few meters below and the camera. This solution is also cheap
enough to invest some time in testing and improving equipment and
workflow before. Afterwards, you may position yourself on top of one of
the skyscapers on a day with not too strong wind and aquire your
images...
I can't guarantee that this would work for you - i also never tried it
before, but for the money invested for one hour heli-flying, you should
be able to buy the rig, some helium and rent the baloon for several
days... ;-)
Best regards
Bernhard
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