Panoramic talk #2

 Let's continue from panoramic talk #1

A good rig is a must to do a nice and beautiful 360 view. As there are many such head in the market, do take your time searching for it.

So, what is Nadir and Zenith.

A picture worth the thousand of words.

This is Nadir (facing down)

Camera lense facing down is known as nadir.
Photo credit: Nodal Ninja

This is Zenith (Facing down - left)

Left: camera lense facing up - Zenith.
Photo credit: red door vr

This is nadir adapter

Nadir adapter
Photo credit: Nodal Ninja

If you have realise something. I can shoot zenith without any tripod in my view, how about nadir?!

The tripod is right in the frame, how do I remove that?

Yes, you can do that by using content aware on Adobe Photo shop! That's awesome, right?! But... not entirely correctly! If you are using on grass, cement floor with no lining or pattern, you are safe!

If there are patterns on floor, you will be scratching your head seriously.


Look for  Florian Knorn on Youtube video
He teaches a lot - framing, photo taking and calibrating to your nodal point.

You may want to check out his website as well.


So, now let's get back to nadir adapter. How does it actually work?

It is very simple, and I can assure you!

All you need to do is loosen the screw below, push the entire top head till the end (showing in the photo - nadir adapter)

Then, loosen the turning knob on the nadir adapter, move the entire top head (see photo below)

After loosing the turning knob, you move the head 180 degree. It is very sturdy

See? That is so simple! But this is not the end yet.

Remember you are on nadir view, seeing the tripod? Now with the nadir adapter, you will not see any tripod blocking you anymore! (just a little bit)

Wait! Hang on first before you go on and try it out.

When you are shooting nadir, you need to shoot at the exact spot where your lense is initially pointing to. If the floor have a star design while your tripod is on it, you need to shoot that star without the tripod - the same spot again.

Now, all you need to do is move the tripod backwards. You need to be certain where the lense is pointing initially, then ensure the lense is pointing at about the same point while moving the tripod.

Here's some photo in case you are going crazy and having headache!

Nadir adapter
Photo credit: Nodal Ninja

What is what I am trying to explain. Looking at the image (the bottom tripod), that is the initial point. The top tripod in the image is using the adapter, trying to get back the same position so that it stitch well in the program.

Look at how they do it - tuck in the tripod, and how they position it.

It is wiser to have the leg spread out as seen in the image because, if one of the leg is open fully or so, you will get the tripod merging together.

But that is the not the scariest part since we can DI on photo shop or using content awareness.

The only headache I often have is the shadow. Tons of DI to be done because of that.


Here's another illustration for better understanding:

Photo credit: Nodal Ninja Forum

All thanks to Nodal Ninja who had this nadir adapter. It helps a lot when doing nadir shoot.

When you have done enough of 360 view panoramic, you will tend to get more of your own idea. How to solve individual issue, what cause the main problem when doing pano.

I will be glad to share my thoughts with you.

Thanks for supporting my blog.

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Panoramic talk #1

Rig I used for panoramic

Panoramic is one of the most interesting photography in my humble opinion.

It is most suitable for landscape photography which allow to cover from extreme left to the right. Other than being a landscape, it can be turn into a 360 x 180 sphere, which allow you to make it as a virtual reality, commonly used for residential, commercial agents and interior designer firm.

Now, it had evolved to retail stores, operation room, restaurant and many more.

It had been created for people who had not been to the location before, and yet wanted to see the place badly.

There you are, a virtual tour.

Now, before I get into this VT (virtual tour, I named that in short form) there are a lot of rules and standard to follow while taking a shot. (it depend on what rig you are on, you may require more than 6 shots for each panoramic view)

The most common rig that people know is: Nodal Ninja.

When you get into the site, you will be confused and not knowing what to get first.

Unless you know your work well, and wanted to get into Google business, you should be getting the Google setup rig.

If not, just follow what I am using now. Of course, I can answer your question if you require any of those.

Right now, I am only concentrating on the introduction for the rig.

The rig I am using is Nodal Ninja 4, known as NN4, with a RD16 and a EZ-leveler II.

EZ Leveler II


Nadir adapter




NN4 Package



There os another way to get it ship to Singapore. Either order from them in US, or from KL, Malaysia. (easy, huh?)

But considering that I need the stitching program, PT GUI, I decided to get it from Nodal Ninja official site as they did include the software as a package. 

I had been using this rig with my trusted Canon 5D2 and a Samyang 14mm lense. Given the light weight of the camera, NN4 is more than enough. There's no need for the ultimate series, unless you feel like getting it.

The next thing you may want to get is the EZ leveler and the nadir adapter.

EZ leveler II is meant for you to adjust the balance by turning the 3 blue beauitful knobs. The adjustment is so precise that you can get it balance within seconds. Unless you are using ball head triod, you may want to go without this, but you need to be skillful on that.

I hate giving myself pressure and need to get things done within seconds, hence the must equipment.

Next, nadir adapter. This is also another must to get item. If you do not know what is nadir, it is actually preferring to 'bottom'. (I will explain more in detail in the next post, I will skip for now)

For zenith, it is referring to top. So, if you are reading via forum or group online and they were referring about nadir and zenith, you will totally understand what it meant now.

I had been using this rig for the past 6 months and get it on my shoulder through air con, harsh sunlight and rain, it is still working well. I have no regret getting this beast, seriously.

I will talk more on my next post regarding the usage of nadir adapter, lenses and set up.

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Adobe Lightroom 5 is here!

I am fascinated and excited about the new Adobe Lightroom 5 after watching the video here.

It is going to save me a lot of times and it is what I am really hoping for! The upright straighten tool!

I had been a great user to Capture One Pro 6 trial before I ended up with Adobe Creative Cloud. I kept thinking, when will Adobe is going to give us that straighten tool? And there it is!

The Lightroom 5 is here for all of us!

The marvelous tool can be bought individually or via Creative Cloud. Now, that is the wise choice for being a Creative Cloud user, I do not need to worry about the upgrades from individual software, with this, I get it anytime and free (of course via subcription!)

All thanks to internet information, I was literally blogging this while trying to update my Adobe apps manager! Viola! I saw the word installation, and hoping whether if I can get the LR5 (it claimed that it will be release on Tuesday, so I just gamble anyway.)

And, after installation, I saw the upgrade to LR5! Yes, it is going to be a happy happy day!

Welcome to Adobe Lightroom 5!
Hello there!

I'm going to do some trial shoot (my usual shoot) and give my opinion on the new tools!


For those who are on Creative Cloud, get to LR5 now!

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Google Drive now for file sharing

I had been a loyal dropbox user since they started out years ago.

It had been one of the most powerful syncing tool ever. I can access the files anywhere, anytime, even on my phone now.

Having your own stuff stored in dropbox give you lots of convenience sake, because you can access it even the computer is shut off; so long as the file had been uploaded.

I do not need to worry even I am using either Mac or Window computer. With the program installed, you still be able to access it without transferring using hard disk.

You can even share to public for downloading of files too! This is great when you do not have your own ftp site.

Or rather, you can put them up at yousendit.com or westransfer.com

I personally prefer WeTransfer because of the slink design, wonderful image or video on the background.

But, there's limitation of timeline to be stored in the site for people to download it.

Now for Google Drive, as read from Engadget, they finally allow sharing as well!

So this is as if you have another Dropbox in your computer. Right click and send out the files, that's all and it is very simple to use.

If you require more space from Google Drive, you may need to purchase it here.

I do not think they work the same way as Dropbox, whereby you earn more space from inviting more users. I cannot remember how much space you will be given when you first sign up, but there are couple of ways to get free space in mb. This is what I found over at ehow.com and dropbox

I have 50gb from my dropbox, and 5gb from Google Drive.

It will be great if you can store the same files in two different location, or, maybe you can put document in Google Drive and the rest in dropbox, whichever you deem fit.

I am happy that both of the applications allow sharing of files to public now.

As quoted:" Google says it's "rolling out over the next few days." Hold tight!"

This is sure going to be interesting.... to know later on.

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Why I prefer Photomatrix HDR

One of the project I was commissioned require HDR merging. Hence, after some trials, I decided which to get.

There are quite a lot of HDR programs if you really do some searching via internet.

One of the most popular will be photomatrix.

Nik software , is one of the coolest program I had tried recently.

I used these software and did some comparison. To my shocking, as shown below, there is a bad burnt out from Nik HDR Efx, but the brightness and tone seem very nice to me.



Considering the post processing part, I will face a lot of difficulties if I were to DI that burnt area. I work as a full time photographer, I simply do not like to spend too much time doing just one area (this is just one minor area that I am showing you)

Hence, I decided to go for Photomatrix instead. The color temperature and tone can be adjusted using Adobe Photoshop.

My HDR does not end at 3 exposure. Instead, I use 10 ev in order to get the details out from the image.

Currently, my project is related with 360 view panoramic, aka virtual tour. So, there are quite a number of stitching I need to do, but before even starting on that, I need to merge the 10 ev exposure first.

For my panoramic setting, which I will do a full details later, I have a total of 14 points of 10 ev each to merge first. Yes, 140 images for just one location.

In comparison of the speed for these two software, Photomatrix win by thousand times.

All I need to do is just the initial set up -

Import 10 images in, do the setting that I want to achieve, then save the preset.

Next, I will go for batch processing of processing photos under Batch Bracketed Photos

Remember I told you that I have a total of 10 ev for each view? Yes, just tell Photomatrix the exact location, select 10 images at a time

Remember to select the preset you had saved at the start.

As shown below, follow the numbering and you will be ok.

Once the images start to run, you can simply go have a short nap, read your novel with a cup of nice coffee, or even go out! It will take ages to get it done automatically for you.

Bear in mind, I have thousands images to merge! That's why it take hours.
But, it is a lot faster than using Nik.

I open Nik software via Adobe Bridge to Photoshop. I have to import 10 images at one time, get the preset done, then I save it. During the processing duration, I can wait till I literally fall asleep. I do not know whether if there's batch processing for Nik, but I gave up trying.

Now, this is not efficient for me.

That's why I find batch processing is very important to most projects! Especially when you have a lot to do and time is very crucial.


I am glad that Photomatrix work perfectly fine for me.

Discount coupon to search for 

Oh yes, before I forget. Remember to check out for discount coupon when you want to purchase photo matrix.  A little bit of research does helps.

Photomatrix purchase site

Here's some of it I found online for you, remember to check whether it is valid before purchasing it!

Please read the link given in this blog. I do not hold any responsibilities if you purchase wrongly.


Stuck in Customs - Code: STUCKINCUSTOMS
Visual Photo Guide - Code: HOTSHOTPHOTO 
Captain Kimo - Code: CAPTAIN KIMO
HDRIT - Code: HDRIT

Have fun with the program and shoot more! =)

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Adobe Creative Cloud user

I am truly happy to be one of the subscriber to Adobe Creative Cloud now.

This got to be one of my happiest moment in my life, having said that the cloud conclude Master Collections. Isn't that the greatest thing ever?

As many know about me, a photographer, audio person and the video editor. This cloud is the one for me.

Creative Suite may make you pay more

In the past for all the CS version, it is either you get the website or the production set, if you need all of them, well, the best bet is Master Collection. But wait... there might be some of the programs that you may not know how to use at all!

Not to forget, the high price. And the upgrades from version to version, it may cost up to 4K if you are using either one of the package.

For Adobe Cloud, you are talking about the different thing!

All you need is to subscribe annually, the price now till end of April 2013 is USD600. I am not sure about the final cost after the promotion ends. But I hearsay it is going to be a thousand plus! Let's hope that there's discount for the current cloud users.

One license for different user at one time

You are allow to let other user to use the software on different computer too! Yes, same license without adding any seats on it. All you need to do is to revoke the current user online, then invite the other user via email.

If you need to add more people in, you may also add seats; your retailer will contact you later on.

For me, since I am working alone, I will have no use for this stage. I was told that I can also install the program on my Mac too! But, you are NOT allow to use the program or online simultaneously. Once Adobe found out, the software system will be locked  and have a good day answering question.

I am very happy to see Lightroom once again after my trial on CaptureOne Pro end.

Updates

I attended the seminar by Adobe last month at Ritz Carlton.

According to the Adobe team, they claimed that they can only release the new version once there is a significant changes. For cloud now, they can constantly send out updates whenever there is a need to.

There's an interesting program call Adobe Application Manager, it will determine which software require you to install the updates. Make a habit, try to launch it every few days to check.

Seeing all these apps in my computer now, made me smile. The chances of using the other apps is very low, but if you are interested, you can even go to the program Help portion and look for some tutorial guide.

Or rather, Youtube helps.

Cloud

Best yet, you can also store your file in the cloud. Especially when you need to go to client place at the very last min; found out you forgotten the laptop on hand. With cloud, you can login on Adobe Cloud site and retrieve the files you stored.

Take a deep breathe, if you understand how dropbox work, this almost a tap on your finger.



It is endless when you keep thinking on the good side. I am very happy that I approached Pic and Pixel Singapore Pte. Ltd. for inquiry before the seminar. Thanks Milan for the explanation.


The promotion for Adobe Creative Cloud is going to end soon. You have few days to get it!

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PPP dermatology laser clinic coffeetable book

I am please to present you my latest work for a coffetable book for PPP laser clinic by Dr Goh Seng Heng.

The planning for this photo shoot is pretty rush and took half a day to accomplish it for day 1.

It wasn't a simple job because of some lighting issue, and it is nearly impossible to bring your strobe light in a small tiny room. Moreover, the room is always pack with their customers.

Be thankful that Canon camera is able to take up low noise at high ISO.

I also bring my small video light for the shoot. This is very useful and handy if you do not intend to use any strobe light or so.

Furthermore, this video light is not heavy and very affordable as well.

This assignment were taken in 2 days, and 1 day in my house for the product shoot.

The main focus for the shoot is the facial, skin and the equipment used in the clinic - Dermatology.


All thanks I am a self trained wedding photographer, this photo shoot make it a lot easier for me. Last minute changes, changes of weird lighting, and journalistic style photo shoot.

Do get yourself involved with event photography first. I believe this will help you a lot when environment kept changing.


















All images are copyrighted to pboong photography and PPP laser clinic

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More things to come real soon

It had been a long time since I last blog here.

Yes, I am still very active on my photography career. I had did quite a few projects which you might be interested to know. Right now, everything will remain as classified. Bear with me, I cannot reveal anything until it had been launch.

Recently, I had been playing with my Nano stabiliser, yes, it is a video equipment which I had bought sometimes ago from Amazon. Apparently, that is not the best solution, but if you are looking for the cheaper version, and wanted to save more cost, this is the one for you.

But, I will rather go for steadicam HD2000Pro.

I had shot for my grandfather during Qing Ming Festival, which is like the dead new year. It will be my first ever short film. I am looking forward to it, hoping everything will be nice and touchy, I hope.

There are couple of things which I am planning to share with you, not just as a photographer, but audio and video. Let's learn together.

Stay tuned for more real soon.

Trust me, it will be more!

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This mogopod worth the money

I was browsing over my reader feed and saw this great product by Carry Spreed. They live up their reputation - speed.

For photography, everything must be sturdy and steady while you handheld the camera, with a tripod or mono pod beside you, that is your best partner!

Having said that,  extending the leg is another headache if you are using tripod. Lot of time will be wasted. How about monopod do the job?

Yes, it will.
But, the extending of leg will cause you some time tho.

For this... I am amazed by this mogopod by carry speed.

 

It allow you to do upside down recording too.

When extending the leg, all you require is just 1 twist! Yes, you see it right, just ONE time. You get to any height you wanted, close it swiftly and move on to another location.

Isn't that great!


You check out more from the video on how the system works. It win me totally! I am so wanted to get it!


Downside:
Only for USA domestic buyer!



Images and video courtesy by Carry Speed

All thanks to OliviaTech feeds. I am glad to share with you readers.

HQYHGXTVWZKF 

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