not wide enough, go panorama

I missed one whole full month of blogging and I can't believe that I had nothing to say. In SK there is always something to say, but recently it appear that people are only finding 'bad things' to say about everyone else. It is the sign of the times that we live in, but many people do not know, nor do they try to understand what is going on in the world, and the part they are playing, or maybe more precisely, the part they are expected to play. I see that certain church folks seem to have a handle on things, but very few outside the circle seem to be listening. With the earthquake in Japan and the tsunamis, aftershocks, etc., it seems that some folks are now hearing, but I suspect that they will go deaf again in the next 10 days or so, unless they get another jolt. I am not praying for that, but if it happens, there is nothing more that we can do except to pray.

We are expected to give thanks no matter what else we do, and it is  necessary for me to give thanks to the Almighty for the ability to take photographs. While my style of photography is a great bother to some people, it serves the purpose intended, and I thank the viewers who find the images to be 'filling their need', for all the right reasons. I am cognizant of the impact and effect the images are having on our nationals both at home and abroad. I must also thank the haters for without them being so negative, the other extreme of positivity would not exist. For balance you must both have a negative and a positive. Even the earthquake and tsunami has its negative and positive components, and while we are only hearing and seeing the negative via the media, there is a positive aspect that is very necessary, and maybe critical to our survival on the planet, but some of us are not privy to that at this point in time. These days one has to look over and beyond, but we seem no to be capable of doing that anymore.

It is a long story, and as to whether it should be told or not is the question. Maybe it is a matter of timing. It is all about timing now-a-days, and since we are talking photography here, let us attend to that subject, and leave the other topics for another time. I am of the view that people with cameras, are not exploiting the full capability of their optical devices, to wit, digital cameras. I know it is their prerogative and we should not be dictating for anyone, but there is no harm in suggesting that folks seek to get the maximum pleasure, directly and indirectly, from their devices. From a business viewpoint, and everything about life and living is business, your camera is an investment and everyone think in terms of getting a return on their investment. Even if the camera was a gift, it still qualify as such. Someone had to invest some cash to procure it ... even if the device fell off the back of a truck while being transported from point "A" to point "B".

Most cameras arrive at our doorstep with a CD/DVD with the software and instructions that can help us to come that "big time photographer" overnight. Most of the good to better software packages have included some form of stitching software, so that anyone can become that "big time" photographer by creating panoramic views from two or more snaps stitched together. I believe that the folks with this camera and photo tool should seek to experiment and use it every time they have to take an outdoor photo. The panoramic and stitching software packaged with the camera is quite good, as long as you follow the instructions to the letter. I suspect that there is FREE panoramic software available on the Internet which has greater flexibility.

For the most part every time I take a snap it is a small slice of the whole view, and sometimes I feel the need to attempt to record the whole picture, and only a panorama offers that option. With moving objects it can be a real challenge, but there are options and strategies, and we exercise them as appropriate. Certain panoramic software have  evolved to the point where one does not have to use any aids and devices to avoid or reduce the once undesirable effects of making a multi layered image panorama. There are photographers who are specialists, carrying that aspect of their photography to an all new level. For now it would be nice if folks with the stitching program on their CD/DVD consider playing with it and step up one notch.

For folks with digital SLR and the cash to splash they can go big time and get the top of the line panoramic software, and there are a few brands to choose between, and to match this there are the camera tripod devices in all makes, sizes and quality. If I take my time I can use my hand and brain to make an almost perfect panorama in bright sunlight, as a matter of fact with just an ordinary tripod without any accessory I should be able to make a pretty good panorama at, and near to, after sunset. The secret is to experiment until you get it  right, but the secret of secrets is to read up on this before, so you know what you are doing and why you are doing it. People always want to see what is just outside the edge of the regular photo, and even with the panorama I find some folks who still want to see outside that edge too.

So to cater for all the newsy people, those people who want to see more, we have to offer 360 degree viewing, but that is whole different story, and we will get to that in time. For now it is about making the ordinary panorama, the solution to seeing around the corner, and when the normal view is not really wide enough.

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