Panoramic Star Trial?

[lolage]

Hi,

For a uni project I've got to produce a panoramic picture of at least 5 pictures which either makes use of a long shutter or shallow depth of field.

I'm very keen on doing a star trial but I'm unsure how I'm going to be able to do a panoramic without the use of multiple cameras.

The only thing that I can think of is doing something similar to this:

But ideally I want to do a nice landscape picture, not portrait. Any ideas of how to get around this? Have also thought about doing a day-night panoramic view. Could then have it day in 1 side, slowly getting darker until finally on the far right of the picture I could have star trials. Like this:

I'm looking at going to Snowdon to take these pics, so anyone know of a nice high place on top of Snowdon to take these shots would be awesome. Will probably be camping, hoping for clear skys!

Some inspiration/ideas would be awesome! Cheers.

 

[MWHCVT]

In theory there is nothing stopping you doing a star trail panorama, I've never done one but it should be possible

 

[Scarecrow]

If I was tasked to do a 5 shot panoramic and had the idea of showing day turning to night, rather than stitching 5 pictures horizontally as you have shown above, I would take 5 pictures with a wide angle lens and blend them in to a single photo to show the transition from light to dark. Unless of course your assignment stipulates that you stitch 5 photos together.

 

[Rico]

Out of the two ideas I think the second would be best but this

take 5 pictures with a wide angle lens and blend them in to a single photo to show the transition from light to dark.

sounds like an awesome plan!

Good luck with which ever you choose and let us know how it turns out.

 

[AndWhyNot]

Hi,

For a uni project I've got to produce a panoramic picture of at least 5 pictures which either makes use of a long shutter or shallow depth of field.

I'm very keen on doing a star trial but I'm unsure how I'm going to be able to do a panoramic without the use of multiple cameras.

The only thing that I can think of is doing something similar to this:

Both of those panorama tasks are designed to test you but your example above seems to miss the point IMO.

Google the "Brenizer" method for all the info you need about DoF panoramics. I think this would be the safer option.

If you still want to pursue a long exposure panoramic, bear in mind the additional variables of changing light and subject movement which exist whether you choose the example of star trails or the (again, IMO) easier option of traffic trails; light painting or flowing water.

Changing light can be minimised for by shooting in consistent conditions such as the middle of the day or night- anytime when light isn't fading/ increasing. Meanwhile subject movement can be compensated for when you realise no-one's going to know down to a pixel level what did/ didn't happen on location so you apply a bit of artistic license.

For me, the factors that make star trails the toughest gig are:
> weather dependence
> visibility of reference points through viewfinder
> vignetting (when it comes to stitching the captured frames)

So, plan well ahead so you're ready to go when the clouds look right. Plan your location, prepare your equipment and do a dry run through of the frames you'll need. Even if you're doing a moon stack or dusk til dawn, shooting for extended periods at night is so different to daytime photography you'll want to be sure of as much as possible in advance.

Capture plenty of overlap from one frame to the next (you don't have to use everything you shoot but you can't go back if you don't shoot enough...); and stop your lens down a couple of stops to minimise the vignette effect- this gives a more even exposure across the whole frame.

I've done a few Milky Way panos and vertos and there are guys on flickr who've done plenty similar. Could be worth a search on there for specific technique queries once you've made your mind up exactly what you're after.

 

[rclarke80]

Good luck with this, sounds a great plan and something so different, always good to see. Sorry cant help with any advice but would love to see the end product, go well.