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Learn everything you need to know about panoramic and VR imaging in Scott Highton's Virtual Reality Photography: Creating Panoramic and Objective Images from Virtual Reality Photography.
The twenty-four chapters are organized into three distinct sections, to provide detailed information on photography basics before delving into the tools and techniques of Panoramic VR imaging and an exploration of Object VR imaging. The book ends with a section on business practices, which includes discussions about rights & value, pricing & estimating, and negotiation, a chapter on legal concerns and an overview of business and marketing strategies. Richly illustrated with more than 300 images, the book is a vast resource of tips, techniques, and instruction, chock full of both artistic and technical detail.
About the Author
Scott Highton is one of the most experienced QuickTime VR (QTVR) and iPIX (PhotoBubble) photographers in the country, and was the first to use both technologies underwater. He was the first independent photographer contracted by Apple Computer to work with and test QuickTime VR, as well as an early photographic consultant and contract photographer during development of the iPIX technology.
He offers multimedia clients two decades of experience in television and documentary film production, corporate photography, and photojournalism. He specializes in high-technology and aviation subjects, as well as difficult remote location photography including underwater, aerial and extreme environments.
Format
Softcover
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Virtual Reality and Immersive Imaging
QuickTime VR
Planning for Interactivity
Photographing for VR
"f/8 and Be There!"
Photography Basics
Chapter 1: Composition
The Rule of Thirds
Converging and Leading Lines
Scale
Relative Brightness
Fill the Frame
Negative Space
Subjects Face Inward
Frames Within a Frame
Assignment: Composition
Chapter 2: Perspective and View
Technical Note: Focal Length
Types of Lenses
Field of View Affected by Camera Format
Field of View and Subject Distance
Technical Note: Field of View Calculations
Lens Quality
Assignment: Perspective and View
Chapter 3: Exposure
Aperture and f/stops
Technical Note: Apertures and f/stops
Shutter Speeds
Using Aperture and Shutter Speed Together
Technical Note: Understanding Shutters
Flash Synchronization (Sync)
Light Sensitivity - ISO and Film Speed
Exposure Rule of Thumb - The "Sunny 16 Rule"
Determining Exposure with Gray Card
Exposure Bracketing
Assignment: Exposure
Chapter 4: Sharpness and Resolution
Depth of Field
Aperture
Technical Note: Circle of Confusion
Subject Distance
Magnification
Focal Length
Technical Note: Depth of Field Tables
Hyperfocal Distance
Technical Note: Depth of Field Preview
Technical Note: Hyperfocal Distances and Depth of Field
Shutter Speeds
Tripods & Camera Supports
Resolution and Grain
Lens Quality
Dirt and Dust
Technical Note: Resolution and Resolving Power
Filters
Atmospheric Conditions
Digital Sharpening
Chapter 5: Lighting
Direction of Light
Quality of Light
Quantity of Light
Balance of Light
Inverse Square
Technical Note: When Fill Lighting Overpowers Main Light
Technical Note: The Inverse Square Law
Color of Light
Technical Note: Fluorescent Lights and Shutter Speeds
Mixed Lighting
Assignment: Fill Lighting
Chapter 6: Film and Digital
Film Construction
Digital Sensor Construction
ISO
Technical Note: Reciprocity Effects
Chapter 7: Digital Basics
Digital Components
The Basics
Storage and Memory
Reproduction
On-Screen Presentation
Print Publication
Color Management
Commercial Printing
Technical Note: PPI vs. DPI
File Compression
Copyright and Security Concerns
Better Security
Chapter 8: Practical Shooting
Choosing Equipment - Panoramic VR
Tripods
Pan Heads
Cameras and Lenses
Choosing Equipment: Object VR
Object Turntables
Camera Support Rigs
Cameras and Lenses
Lighting
Packing for Travel
Traveling on Airlines
X-Ray Hazards
Checked Baggage - X-Ray Warning
Packing Equipment
Equipment Maintenance
Panoramic VR Imaging
Chapter 9: Panoramic Overview
Cylinders
Cubes
Spheres
Chapter 10: Cylindrical Panoramas
Single Row Cylindrical Panoramas
Method 1 - Stitching a Series of Images
Technical Note: Choosing a Panorama Lens
Entrance Pupil Alignment
Shooting a Single Row Panorama
Technical Note: Entrance Pupil Alignment
Method 2 - Slit Scan Panorama Cameras
Shooting a Panorama with a Slit Scan Camera
Method 3 - Single Shot Panoramic Systems
Shooting a Panorama with a Single Shot System
Chapter 11: Cubic and Spherical Panoramas
Method 1 - Multi-Row Panoramas
Shooting Multi-Row Panoramas
Method 2 - Slit Scan Camera and a Fisheye Lens
Shooting a 360° x 180° Panorama with Slit Scan Camera and Fisheye Lens
Method 3 - Spherical Fisheye Panoramas
Shooting a 360° x 180° Spherical Fisheye Panorama
Full Frame Fisheyes
Panorama Choice: Film vs. Digital
Chapter 12: Panorama Effectiveness
Perspective and View
Framing and Composition
Consistency in Technique
Determining Best Exposure
Supplemental Lighting
Chapter 13: Planning the Shoot
Single Node Projects
Multi Node Projects
Technical Note: VR Photography Slate Book
Continuity
How Long Will It Take?
Other Concerns - Releases and Permissions
Safety and Insurance
Case Study: The Masco Virtual Showhome
Details of the Photo Shoot
Chapter 14: Advanced
Varying Exposure
Selective Focus
Compositing Images
Underwater and Aerial
Underwater
Aerial
Production vs. Post Production
Chapter 15: Related and Support Media
Audio Elements
Supporting Graphics
The Future of VR
An Interview with Paul Debevec
Object VR Imaging
Chapter 16: Object Movie Introduction
Planning Your Object Movie
Perspective and View
Number of Images
Single Row vs. Multi-Row
Compression
Chapter 17: Equipment and Technique
Consistency and Repeatability
Camera Equipment
Lens Selection (Focal Length)
Centers of Rotation
Building Your Own Object Turntable
Chapter 18: Object Lighting
Background Choices
Separate the Object and Background
Basic Lighting Approaches
Expanding the Envelope - Multiple Light Sources
Lighting Control Tools
Quality and Diffusion
Intensity
Direction (angle)
Shape and Color
Chapter 19: Advanced Object Techniques
Time Lapse
Animation Loops
Very Large Objects
Aerial Object Movies
Technical Note: Positioning Points on a Circle
Technical Note: Aerial Photo Tips
Synchronized Multiple Cameras
Business Practices
Chapter 20: Rights and Value
Value and Licensing of Photography
Value of Content
Reproduction Rights Rule #1:
Pricing and Compensation Structures
Day Rate Against Usage
Copyright and Ownership of Work
Reproduction Rights Rule #2: Copyright Protection
Multimedia Background
Moral Rights
Conclusion
Chapter 21: Pricing and Estimating
Put It In Writing
Being Profitable vs. Market Pressures
Working on Spec
Royalty Free (RF) or Clip Art
Estimating
Case Study: Estimating a VR Photo Shoot
Chapter 22: Negotiation
Keys to Successful Negotiating
Characteristics of a Good Negotiator
Offer Options
Making Negotiation Work
Negotiating Fees
Chapter 23: Legal Concerns
Chapter 24: Business and Marketing Strategies
Web Sites
Printed Materials
E-mail
Social Networking
CDs and DVDs
Letters
Referrals
Advertising
Portfolio Presentation
Case Study: Landing the First Commercial VR Photo Shoot
Book: VR Photography: Creating Panoramic and Objective Images is rated
4.6 out of
5 by
14.
Rated 5 out of
5 by
NY Photo Tours from
A Tremendous Information ResourceThis is probably the best book available on panoramic and object VR photography - written by Scott Highton, one of the leading experts in the industry. It is packed full of techniques, easy to understand explanations and comprehensive illustrations. It covers not only the basics that anyone new to panoramic or object photography might need, but also extensive discussion of techniques and equipment that experienced pros will benefit from. A complete section on business practices alone is worth the cost of the book for those serious about adding virtual tours and interactive panoramas to their professional photography business.
Date published: 2012-10-16
Rated 5 out of
5 by
360VR Wizard from
Essential before buying a HMD or video VR gearMost of the VR content out there so far is really bad. This is because most of those who are trying to shoot and create it have very little idea of what they're doing, or even the very foundations of the technical requirements.Scott Highton's Virtual Reality Photography is probably the best place to start. It is clearly written and easily understandable, yet contains an incredible amount of information, all from one of the true masters of the medium.Before you go out and buy any of the low cost multi-camera rigs or multi-lens pocket cameras for VR, get this book first - and READ IT. It's the best $$I ever spent on my photo education, and essential for getting started in VR.
Date published: 2015-12-14
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Google Trusted Pro from
Excellent book!This is a fantastic manual for panoramic and VR photographers. There's so much information and it's all made so easy to understand - even the technical stuff that you may or may not be so interested in. It was recommended to me by a fellow Google Trusted Photographer, who said it contained so much more useful information that what Google provides. It helped me take my work above and beyond what Google and their clients expect.It's the best $$ you'll spend if you're doing panoramic or interactive VR photography, or even considering it. The extensive chapters on Basic Photography are probably a must read for ALL photographers, and the Business Practices chapters are worth the cost of the book alone.
Date published: 2013-12-09
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Photo Professor from
Should be a textbookThis book should be a textbook for both general photography techniques (there are even self-assignments included in early chapters) and VR. But it seems so much more than that. There's an incredible amount of information, with many excellent illustrations. There's technical information when you need it, but everything is explained very simply and is easy to understand. I wish it also included tutorials on VR stitching software, but that stuff seems to change so fast. The book's accompanying web site has links to these though, and the author personally responded to my questions there.
Date published: 2013-04-02
Rated 5 out of
5 by
AZ Interactive from
THE book for VR & tour photographersReally good explanations. Easy to understand. Great illustrations. Lots of detail and technical info for those who want it. The author is obviously an experienced pro, yet he explains high end techniques clearly so that the rest of us can apply them on our own. I learn more every time I pick the book up, and my work has improved significantly since I started it. You don't have to read it from cover to cover. Just go to the sections you're interested in. There's so much there, I don't think I'll ever be able to absorb it all. It doesn't include much detail about using stitching software, because this info changes so fast, but the author responded personally to my questions by e-mail.
Date published: 2013-06-06
Rated 5 out of
5 by
ENRIQUE from
Simply....the bestI'm doing 360 panoramic photographs and this book has been an invaluable help.Very good techniques and also with examples.It takes you step by step to make your Stitchs and even recommends accessories for your tripod.The book price is very cheap compared to*
Date published: 2014-01-02
Rated 5 out of
5 by
J Frederick from
GREAT COVERAGEWhen considering buying this book I was skeptical because of the complexities of VR, Panoramic Photography. Books that cover one area well and fall short in others are a waste of money and often time. But after the short time I've been reading and STUDYING it I've found it to be one of the best in my library. Overall Scott Highton's book is excellently written and complete. His explanation of the technical aspects that I knew and those that I wasn't familiar with are well written. As the recipient I've come away with a good understanding of these topics. It's my opinion even a novice could begin with this book and save a lot of money and time. The rest is up to me to apply what the author is attempting to convey. Not only does the author share his technical knowledge and skills openly but more importantly; one of the most overlooked areas of professional photography is the business aspect. Without this we're just a bunch of STARVING ARTISTS no matter how GREAT A PHOTOGRAPHERS we are. Not only is it well worth the time invested reading and studying but the price is great. Money & Time well spent.
Date published: 2014-03-07
Rated 5 out of
5 by
Video Joe from
More than just VR photo manualI bought this book with a Nodal Ninja NN4, hoping it could answer some questions google wasn't able to easily answer. I found it to be much more than a book about VR photography- it covers basic photographic principles and on through some of the most advanced photo techniques I have encountered in my 15 year career. Case studies from the author's own experience shooting commercial VRs from its inception in the 90s, including the use of film cameras and stocks, to modern day digital cameras and lenses, to specialized equipment for VR like slit-scan cameras, fish eye lenses, adapters and other accessories for VR make this a comprehensive reference for the aspiring VR photographer, or the experienced pro who needs more background information. I was amazed to find very detailed descriptions of complicated engineering concepts behind digital photography that aids the understanding of how and why some everyday, as well as advanced, techniques work-or won't work in some situations. An excellent stand-alone photography textbook that also happens to meticulously document VR photography. Recommended.