Getting a decent shot has never been easier thanks to smartphone cameras. In addition to the increased quality, the amount of things you can do with your camera has grown rapidly. One of the coolest features available in newer phones is the ability to capture panoramic images.
To get the best results possible, consider the following tips to capture your panoramic photos:
Set up Your Pictures
Panoramic pictures require a little bit of planning before you start shooting. You need to think about the amount of area you want to cover and how many people (if any) you want to get in the shot. Your next step is to position everything in relation to the horizon line so you get a straight image.
It is simple to find the horizon line when you’re by the ocean or in front of a huge landscape, but when you’re in an urban area or inside, it can be more complicated. In urban areas, use streets, signs and windows as markers to straighten out your image. If you’re indoors, identify marks on either end of your frame that are level with each other.
When it comes to shooting people, stationary subjects are best. If they’re moving, you run the risk of having oddly shaped people or the same person in the image twice. The best and easiest way to capture panoramic pictures is to use a camera with a wide-angle lens like the LG G5 to minimize the amount of movement you have to do. If you do need to move, do so slowly so your phone doesn’t skip over important details or people.
Adjust Your Camera
The more you do to correctly set up your shot, the less you’ll have to do in editing afterward. For example, to get the best lighting possible, place the sun behind you and adjust your exposure to lighten up your image. These steps help alleviate any dark spots in the image. You also should take a second to properly focus your camera on the subjects so that as you move to capture the panorama, nothing is blurry.
Follow Basic Photography Rules
When shooting landscapes, it’s a common tendency to leave out the sky to get as much of what’s in front of you as possible. However, the sky provides a great frame for your image and gives it a sense of containment. Another good rule of thumb for landscapes is to check for any animals that may move within your shot. Much like people, they can ruin your picture if they’re stretched throughout your frame.
When taking group shots, leave space above your subjects heads and below their feet to get a full-body shot. Similar to landscapes, this provides a natural frame to your photo. You also want to make sure that your subjects faces aren’t taking up most of the frame because it will look odd in the final panoramic version.
