As requested, I thought I'd post some information and examples of underwater panoramas. I shot one on my last dive trip and it was a learning experience for me.
I shot these w/ a 30ccM filter on the lens at a depth of 65' The lens is a 17mm behind a Seacam Superdome. Stitching was accomplished using AutoPano Pro - which IMO is the fastest and best stitcher. Focus was on a near object and set w/ the * button. Probably a mistake as they are soft in the background and the foreground is just sand...
These are stitched from about 6 photos. The first was shot in M and the second in Av - also probably a mistake.
Comments and feedback/ideas appreciated.
Cheers
James
Thanks for posting these. UW panoramas are something that has interested me for a long time but I never get around to doing. I take a lot of panoramas topside and I always shoot on a tripod with the camera in vertical/portrait position. The challenge of setting this up UW is what has held me back.
The kind of shot I have imagined would require a site with a sandy bottom and good vertical relief. I'm thinking towering coral heads. You have the sandy botom but not much relief in the reef structure but I commend you for trying it.
These are two very different exposures to me. Both remind me of the Flower Garden Banks. Somewhat more homogeneous exposure and tonality on the first image. On the second image I am not sure if I am looking at subtle frame transitions because you are in Av or natural sun rays. Neither image has a strong point of interest since the reef has no distinctive qualities in either and the diver does not stand out in the first. I like the overall color, contrast and the peaceful composition of the second image better. The second image is warmer and has less cyan in the sun burst and I prefer that. Did you control white balance on either of these or shoot in auto white balance? Tripods, nodal points and pano heads don't work as well underwater or inside the dome port but you certainly lined everything up and I respect your effort. Thanks for letting me comment. Andy
