Photo Merge to Panoramas with Adobe Lightroom
When Adobe Lightroom CC debuted, I had a chance to check out the Photo Merge features. The latest version of Lightroom has brought with it the option to create HDR images and panoramas within the application.
To get started with panoramas in Adobe Lightroom, select the images that you want to combine while working in the Develop module. My favorite way to do this is by holding Command on Mac or Control on Windows and clicking on all of the images to combine.
After you've selected the images to composite, make sure you're working in the Develop module and choose the Photo > Photo Merge > Panorama option. Lightroom will go to work combining and aligning your images into a single file.
The Problem with Panoramas
Stitching many images together into a single panorama can lead to some stunning effects. When you can't fit everything into the view of your lens, a panorama can help capture a wider view than a single shot can. Panoramas also can generate ultra-high-resolution images, suitable for wall-sized prints.
The problem with panoramas is that it can be difficult to align the shots properly, especially if you aren't traveling with a suitable tripod. As you pan through a scene and capture a series of images, they might not match up perfectly on the edges.
Although your software will help you crop a stitched panorama, you may still have an issue with the edges of the image. As the illustration above shows, imperfect panoramas lead to loss of pixels on the edge - that's where Boundary Warp comes in.
Boundary Warp in Action
When our finished panorama isn't a perfect rectangle, Lightroom's new Boundary Warp feature is incredibly useful. Check out this video to learn more about the power of Boundary Warp.
Recap and Keep Learning
I hope that this tutorial will allow you to stitch together those less-than-perfectly composed panoramic images. The Boundary Warp feature is great for saving pixels on the edge of your panoramic images.
If you want to learn more about panoramic photography, I would highly recommend Jeffrey Opp's excellent tutorial on creating 360 degree panoramas. Jose Antunes also has some great tips on shooting handheld panoramas.
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