PhotoTechEDU Day 29: Photographing VR Panoramas

Google Tech Talks
October, 17 2007

ABSTRACT

Scott Highton, one of the pioneers of virtual reality photography, will present an overview of methods and techniques for photographing VR panoramas. While VR panoramas have become common for online tours in the real estate and travel industries, where low-quality point-and-shoot technique seems to prevail, Scott focuses on the higher-end and higher-quality approaches that yield memorable and evocative imagery.

Scott's talk will include discussion of the various capture and post-production technologies available for panoramic imaging today, as well as a look behind the scenes at real-life VR photo shoots

Speaker: Scott Highton
Scott Highton is one of the pioneers of virtual reality photography. He was the first independent photographer contracted by Apple to work with and test QuickTime VR, as well as an early photographic consultant and contract photographer during the development of IPIX's PhotoBubble technology. Specializing in photography of extreme locations and environments, he was the first to use both technologies underwater.

Scott has been a commercial photographer, documentary cinematographer, and writer for close to 30 years, and is in the process of finishing his long-awaited book on Virtual Reality Photography techniques. He has lectured at a number of photo industry events, and produces the Virtu...

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[VRDundee]

You are are a true VR trooper, Scott. Very nice presentation with all the aspects of VR from its enfancy to present state. Very few people can say they have been there, done that and still doing it. Part 1

[VRDundee]

part2:

I particularily liked your half dome documentation showing your inspiration and execution of that VR Photography project, filmed entirely by your self. Outstanding work.....read part 3

[PhotorecoveryPro]

thanks! When I have time, I will watch the whole series:-)

[Sacher01]

informative, thanks!

[vrpprv]

Scott's long-awaited book on Virtual Reality Photography can now be ordered online at the vrphotography (dot com) web site.

It features four major sections on: Photography Basics, Panoramic Imaging, Object Imaging, and Business Practices.

320 pages, over 300 illustrations, full color throughout.

Price: $44.95 (US)

ISBN 978-0-615-34223-8

Thanks to the entire VR photography community for your support.

[svsankarchennai]

I think you are an Ansel Adams for Virtual Panoramas. A lot of creative energy combined with the right technical judgement, amazing you are. Thankyou so much for sharing. And for the time and effort you have spent on this for our benefit. I am novice to panoramas and you cant imagine how much of an inspiration your video has cast on me. Thankyou once again, Mr. Scott Highton

[beautifulife555]

thanks for posting this video mate.

[ECWNET]

apple owns

[vrpprv]

Excellent comment, and excellent catch on the long-time confusion between rear nodal point and entrance pupil. One of the engineers in the audience also picked this up during the talk, and we did immediate research in his office after lunch. Rest assured, this will be corrected in future presentations. Many thanks.

Scott Highton

[VRDundee]

500 characters are not enough for what i had to say so i split it up in 4 parts. This system did only allow 3 consecutive postings...I thinks its spam alert i guess.

[VRDundee]

part3

The only obejction i would have and like to voice is the misconception of the rear nodal point of beeing the no parallax point for panoramic photography. It has been proven wrong and can be explained as being the center of the entrance pupil, instead. It is a virtual aperture that defines the area at the entrance of the optical system that can accept light. This depends on several critical factors in VR photography.