Adventures in Panorama
I decided that I should give the panorama another go, and found out some of the problems that I was having with my first attempt. Here is a list of the problems that I know about.
- Change in height. - I was not using a tripod.
- Change in perspective. - My feet were moving slightly left or right.
- Close objects. - Especially those that span from one end of your shot to the other SUCK!
However, what I don’t know is:
- How do I deal with close objects?
- How can I make perspective not change?
- Is there a way to not have the picture slowly degrade in height?
If anyone knows how to answer these questions, without using Panorama software (since this is something I am trying to avoid), I’d be greatful for a response either via the comments or email.
Also, to clarify, I am not creating a 360 degree panorama as the word would suggest, I am simply trying to create an unobstructed view of what I see when I walk out my door. This still falls under the meaning of panorama, in my opinion.
Backyard Panorama
Here is my attempt at creating a panorama of what I see when I walk out my backdoor. Many people have attempted similar, with far better results than anything I can accomplish. For one, my camera is definitely subpar by today’s standards. Another thing is, I don’t have a software that is made to create panoramas from a string of photos, I have to do it by eye. My purpose for doing this panorama (my first attempt ever) was purely for practice. I am hoping on my next vacation to create a few really cool panoramas, as I am a definite fan of the genre. Genre? I don’t know.
Perhaps I will comprise a list for you all, and put it in the comments of this post, of all the panoramas that I have enjoyed. But without further ado I give you my crummy panorama. To view a larger version click on the thumbnail, to see the full large version click here (1.45MB).
Borders Jamboree
Had some fun on Friday at our local Borders with a few of the guys listening to Scott McKenna and an unkown guy on Violin.
Scott played some Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews and Howie Day all while mixing in some of his own stuff. His own stuff wasn’t too bad, and after listening to his entire album I’d say he’s pretty good. Certainly not as well rounded as the aforementioned artist, but what he put together along with his Violinist, was definitely a nice sound. Only took like 7 photos total, here’s 3 1 of them.
My 10 Gallon Ocean
Tonight Eliza and I finally got around to moving our fishtank from our old place to our new place. There had been much debated as to whether we were going to keep the fishtank, since we had already been downsizing so much. We decided to keep the fishtank, and so the problem of having a permanent and nice place to put it, is still something that hasn’t been solved. It’s here nonetheless. Temporarily it will reside in the den/office until we find a suitable ‘table’ of sorts that we’re hoping to put behind our couch in the living room.
Since I had to set it up, clean it, and get it operational again, I figured I would keep a photoLog (I’ve decided to take this down) of what was going on. I’ve been wanting to experiment with my KeyCamX settings for this purpose, as well as using BetterHTMLExport for iPhoto to see what I can pull off with that. I only have the trial version, so what I could do and was willing to accomplish was limited. You can see the process (I’ve decided to take this down) of setting up the fishtank in the gallery that I put together using KeyCamX, my iSight and BetterHTMLExport via iPhoto, and let me know your thoughts. There are about 220 images, after going through and deleting the ‘dead space’ while I was doing it. I had originally had a gallery of 360 or so. Again, 5 second interval.
Finding Nemo. Since seeing this movie, my wife has wanted to get a ‘Nemo’ of her own. Being that presently I only own a 10 gallon tank, this isn’t something feasible. My brothers in Florida both have nice salt water tank displays with Sharks, coral reef, and the whole nine. Someday perhaps we will be able to acquire such aquatic wealth. Until then though, I ask that you help me find ‘our’ Nemo. I’d like to pick up 3 more fish. I’ve been told that allocating about 2 gallons per fish is good form. If my math is correct, that allows for 5 fish in my tank. Currently our community consists of two fish that I won at a County Fair. You know, the game where you throw the ball in the jars and you get a fish. It’s a gift.
If you have any suggestions for fish that follow this criterion, let me know.
1. Hardy.
2. Colorful.
3. Playful.
4. Gets along well with others.
5. Helps in the cleaning process.
Cam Status Detection
Cam Status Detection Script. I decided since I was going to make the webcam a permenant part of TUG that I would come up with a few features for it. The first feature that I am adding is a Status Icon which can be found to the right of my name under the cam image. The green icon displays when the cam image is live, the red when it isn’t.
My Cam Settings
Been putting some thought into my cam settings lately. I’ve tried, and not been happy with the results, the following configurations.
1. Archive all images (local and FTP), JPG quality 70%, 29 second interval.
2. Archive all images (local and FTP), JPG quality 75%, 29 second interval. (run apple script to delete all unwanted (black) images).
3. Archive all images (local and FTP), JPG quality 80%, 5 second interval. (run Finder advanced search, delete all unwanted (black) images).
Before you yell at me and say, Why on earth would you archive all images, especially when the interval is only 5 seconds? This was an experiment, not only to see how the program would handle the load, but to see what was returned.
The results? I’ve found out that what is returned during a full day of programming is little less than countless images showing almost the exact same thing. And, having to do some manual clean up, whether it was the Apple script variety or doing it by hand via the Finder. Well, I’ve decided to use the following configuration, because I still want to keep my cam image fresh and up-to-date, yet I don’t want to deal with the hassles and worthlessness archiving the files can be.
Current config: No archiving. FTP updated. JPG quality 80%. 5 second interval.
Enjoy.
Side note: To the KeyWebX folk, please create an option to shut off archiving via FTP. Archiving locally can probably prove to be useful, but not being able to do so when you want to FTP the latest image at the same time is definitely a drawback in the current program’s preferences.
Related sites
Recent features
Leah Andreone - Break Your Fall
The Format - Give It Up
Coheed and Cambria - The Velorium Camper II: Backend Of Forever
Song of the week
Sara Bareilles - Between the Lines
Sara Bareilles' "Between the Lines" is the Song of the Week for April 20 to 26.
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