These images are QTVR - QuickTime Panoramic Virtual Reality images. To properly view, you will need QuickTime 4.x.

About the PanoVRs
All of the PanoVRs were taken with a Minolta Maxum 4si 35mm SLR. The images in the experimental set were taken without the benefit of a tripod or panoramic adapter, which accounts for some of the irregularities in the stitching of those images. The Algonquin Images were taken using panoramic tripod adapter head from Kaidan, resulting in better stitching in the final QTVRs. The film was developed directly to Kodak PhotoCD, and the digital images were composited into QTVR files with VRWorx.

About the ObjectVRs
All of the ObjectVRs were taken with a Sony Digital Mavica FD5 using a home-made turntable. The object rig was constructed using a $5 lazy susan, a black sharpie to mark 15 degree increments, some white posterboard, and a little editing in Photoshop.

Lessons Learned

• Get a tripod adapter. Variability in the alignment of the image sequences due to holding the camera was pretty amazing. Furthermore, centering the camera on the nodal point (something a tripod head should accomplish) makes a big difference in the final results.
• Don’t use a polarizer filter. Typically, panoramic images need to be taken at a relatively wide angle; gradients in the corners of wide-angle images with a polarizer make stitching and blending difficult.
• Take image sequence as a series of vertically oriented images, rather than horizontally oriented. As evidenced in the Tahquamenon Falls image, horizontal images don’t provide enough margin for error when blending and straightening, resulting in a fair amount of the image height being cropped.
• Pay more attention to variability in lighting conditions throughout the sequence of images, particularly in low light situations like the sunset image.
• For ObjectVRs, a more precise turntable mechanism would help eliminate wobble and proper nodal alignment of the camera - but I'm not sure it's worth the extra $145!!!

Experimental Panoramic VRs
Algonquin Panoramic VRs
Diecast Object VRs