Borbin the 🐱

Focus stacking involves taking multiple photos at different focus points and merging them into a single image that contains only the sharpest areas.

Three images, each focused on different points -foreground, middle ground, and background- were taken and subsequently merged using PTGui and HeliconFocus.

PTGui

PTGui automatically established control points and precisely aligned all the images, performing as expected for a panoramic image application. Using a simple mask, the three in-focus areas were seamlessly integrated.

HeliconFocus

Since all the images were taken handheld, there are slight variations in perspective. This is evident in the results from HeliconFocus. It is likely that a dedicated focus stacking application expects images to be captured using a tripod for optimal results.

Isn't it surprising how good a panorama stitching app performs compared to a dedicated focus stacking app?

The Making of the test picture

See Combine pictures with PTGui, Focus stacking

Taken at the 2024 Winter Solstice ♑︎, the shortest day of the year.

This panorama is the 2024 Winter Solstice contribution for the 'December Wrinkle' event of WorldWidePanorama.

Interactive Panorama Overlake Hospital

I took this panorama about an hour before sunset without a tripod while waiting at the main exit. The main challenge was aligning the pathway with the building's geometric facade.
Taking more pictures than necessary helps with panoramas because it allows for better adjustments and alignment.
Using the mask feature in PTGui is another significant advantage. It allows you to force the seamlines into less prominent areas, thereby minimizing visible overlaps and reducing poor alignment.

1/60s f/5,6 ISO 100/21° 7,5mm

Only the central parts of the images were used, which minimized errors. Note the nearly uniform size of the horizontal image parts, with the exception of the pair on the left side of the large building.

At one point, I had this rare PTGui result:

This is the sunset that occurs closest to the Autumn equinox, which is the point in the year when the sun crosses the celestial equator heading southward, marking the transition from summer to fall. This event results in equal lengths of day and night, creating a unique and balanced twilight experience.

But with so many trees around, the experience is limited to a narrow field of view towards the sunset. Nevertheless, the experience remains wonderful.

This panorama is the September 2024 Equinox contribution for the 'September Wrinkle' event of WorldWidePanorama.

Interactive Panorama Equinox-Sunset

The Making

Automated control points aren’t an option here because the individual images are predominantly black:

There are 6 pictures taken every 60°, including Zenit and Nadir (6+Z+N). To establish the control points, the brightness in PTGui was increased by +5EV.

Without precise control points, a 360°×180° panorama can become warped and distorted. It might seem that creating panoramas with large areas of uniform dark color would be easier, but unfortunately, there are no shortcuts in this process. Accurate control points are essential for maintaining the integrity of the image.

Das Snoqualmie Falls Wasserkraftwerk besteht aus zwei Kraftwerken mit einer kombinierten Kapazität von 53,9 MW. Es entnimmt Wasser aus einem Stausee oberhalb der Wasserfälle, um saubere Wasserkraft für etwa 40.000 Haushalte in der Nähe von Seattle zu erzeugen. Zusätzlich hat das Kraftwerk historische Bedeutung und bietet öffentliche Parks und Wanderwege entlang des Snoqualmie River.

Dieses Panorama ist der Beitrag für den 'Future'-Event von WorldWidePanorama.

The Snoqualmie Falls Hydroelectric Plant comprises two powerhouses with a combined capacity of 53.9 MW. It draws water from a reservoir above the falls to produce clean hydropower for approximately 40,000 homes near Seattle. Additionally, the plant holds historical significance and provides public parks and trails along the Snoqualmie River.

This panorama is the contribution for the 'Future' event of WorldWidePanorama.

Interactive Panorama Snoqualmie-Falls

Hinter den Kulissen

Früh morgens waren schon viele Leute unterwegs. Damit mir niemand die Sicht versperrt hat, habe ich bei den einzelnen Bildern immmer auf den richtigen Moment gewartet.

Es war sehr sonnig an diesem Tag, und natürlich sind die Schatten bei hellem Sonnenlicht ausgeprägter. Um den Schatten der Kamera am Geländer zu entfernen, habe ich zusätzliche Bilder von dem Geländer und der Plattform aus größerer Entfernung gemacht.

Diese Bilder wurden dem Projekt als zusätzliche Bilder hinzugefügt, für die Brennweite optimiert und entsprechend maskiert, um die Schatten so gut wie möglich zu ersetzen.

Behind the scenes

While it was early in the morning, there were already a lot of people around. When taking the individual pictures, I waited for time gaps in order to have as few people blocking the view as possible from the railing.

It was very sunny that day, and of course shadows are more pronounced in bright sunlight. To remove the cast from the nodal adapter and the camera on the railing, I took additional pictures of the railing and platform handheld from a larger distance.

Those pictures were added as additional images to the project, optimized for focal length, and masked accordingly to replace the shadows as best as possible.

1/320s f/5,6 ISO 100/21° f=7,5mm

1/8s f/5,6 ISO 125 f=7,5mm

1/320s f/5,6 ISO 100/21° f=7,5mm

A new construction connecting Pike Place Market and the Seattle Aquarium.
Expected to be open in spring 2025.

1x5 Panorama with equirectangular projection

1/500s f/8 ISO 100/21° 16-50mm f/3,5-6,3 VR f=16mm/24mm

2x5 Panorama, 7 pictures, with equirectangular projection

1/500s f/8 ISO 100/21° 16-50mm f/3,5-6,3 VR f=16mm/24mm

This panorama is also used in PTGui fill hole option.