How to Shoot Videos for Great Looking Panoramas |

| The guidelines and information contained in this section remove the mystery about technical issues associated with shooting videos for panoramas.

| Ideal Device Settings and Recording Environment | Print this page
| Using a Tripod
| General Tips
| Printable Checklist

| Ideal Device Settings and Recording Environment Top Use One Focal Length* Use the same focal length when shooting the video for one panoramic image. *Using different focal lengths can present inconsistencies that cannot be resolved during the stitching process.

Shoot under Similar Light Conditions*
Try to shoot video under similar light conditions. Slight changes in lighting conditions can cause the colors to differ greatly from one frame to the next in the same video clip.

*Recording under similar light conditions ensures a better stitching performance. Variations in the light conditions make it difficult for the stitching engine to recognize corresponding frames of the video.

Using a Tripod Top

Use a Tripod Whenever Possible
When shooting video for a panorama, it's necessary to keep the device level and on the same plane throughout the whole shooting process. The easiest way to do this is to use a tripod.

Without a Tripod
If a tripod is not available, while shooting your video lock your elbows into your body and pivoting on one foot to turn in place. Pay close attention to the level of your captured video (horizon line) - keeping the device level as you turn.

If you cannot find a level spot for your tripod, collapse the legs to create a monopod so you can steady the device to shoot the videos.

General Tips Top

Do not use extreme wide-angle lenses when shooting videos for panorama. Extreme wide-angle lenses create distortion at the edges of the captured frames - making them difficult to stitch.

When shooting horizontal-style videos, make sure the tallest object in the scene fits into the frame at the current zoom level set at the time of recording. As a recommendation, it is always wise to leave extra space for cropping the panorama after it has been stitched.

Maintain a reasonable distance from the subject/captured scene and move your device at a relatively constant speed to capture a “smooth” video clip.

If your printer supports banner paper (check the printer’s user manual for support paper types), you can try to print out your panoramic creations on photo banner/panorama paper.

Copyright © 2011 ArcSoft, Inc. All rights reserved.