Gigapixel Panoramic Photography Workshop

Recommended Equipment

What to Bring.

Camera
  • Most any camera will work for Panoramic Gigarama style photography. (Call if you have questions.)
    • We will be working with RAW images so highly recommend your camera has and is set to RAW storage capability.
    • At least 22 Megapixels or higher. More Megapixels = higher resolution. I shoot Canon R5 w/ 45 Megapixels and a Canon 5DSR with 51 Megapixels.
      • 45 Megapixel and larger cameras produce awesome images but burns hard drive space. Bring a big external drive!
    • APS-C or Full Frame is OK.
  • Focus Stacking Sessions
    • You will need a camera with built in Focus Bracketing capability.
    • Canon R5, Nikon Z7 both support Focus Bracketing.
    • Olympus OMD E-M1 Mark II OMD E-M1 (firmware version 4.0) OMD E-M5 Mark II (firmware version 2.0) OMD E-M10 Mark II PEN-F
    • Not every lens is compatible with the focus bracketing so make sure your lens is compatible.
  • For HDR work (optional) you will need a camera capable of doing Bracketed images.
  • Night Photography (optional) requires higher end camera with low noise, high ISO. Sony A7RIxx, Nikon D850 or Z7, Canon R5 or 5Div, Panasonic GH4
  • Instruction Manual for your camera. (Read your manual. Don’t buy a new camera and come to workshop to learn how to use it.)
Batteries
  • Make sure to bring plenty of spare batteries (minimum 3) and your chargers.
  • Also spare batteries for your other accessories such as remote controls, robotic head, head lights etc,
Memory Cards
  • Recommend at least 2 ea. 256 – 512 GB or 4 ea. 128 GB cards.
    • When focus bracketing with long lens it is common to shoot up to 3,000 photos in a single panorama session.
Lens
  • Ultra High Resolution imagery requires telephoto lenses. I typically use 70mm – 300mm.
    • For the Focus Stacking portion I recommend beginners use focal lengths of <=200mm.
      • I have used up to 600mm.
  • Zoom lenses are OK. (Bring gaffers tape or blue painters tape to hold focus & zoom rings in place.)
  • Some people prefer prime lenses. They are good. I often use my Canon 300mm f/4 lens
  • For optional Night Photography session bring (or rent) your widest, fastest lens. You will need f-2.8 or faster.
    • I use either 24-70mm f-2.8 zoom or my 14mm, f-2.8.
    • Ultra wide “Fish Eye” lenses do not work well for stitching night photos.
    • 14mm – 24mm for full frame cameras
    • 10mm – 18mm for APS-C sensors.
Tripod
  • A sturdy tripod is a critical part of your equipment.
  • Bring your standard pan & tilt or ball head.
Panoramic Nodal Head (options)
Wired or (Wireless Remote Shutter Control – optional)
  • Remote shutter is important if you are using manual head.
Laptop Computer
  • Should have minimum of 16GB (32 – 64 GB recommended.) of memory
  • 500 GB of free space on hard drive recommended.
  • Card Reader for your memory cards. ( Or USB cable for camera to download photos.)
  • External USB 3.0 hard drive. 4 TB or greater free space.
  • Required software:
    • Adobe Photoshop. Highly recommend CC2021 or later.
    • If you don’t have Photoshop you can purchase Creative Cloud for a $10 per month subscription.
  • Stitching Software (These are optional – Photoshop supports limited stitching.)
    • PTgui (Demo version is OK but adds watermark)
    • Adobe Camera Raw and/or Lightroom (CC version supports stitching limited # of images.)
  • Focus Bracketing Software
  • HDR Software (for Optional HDR session)
    • PTIgui Pro version has HDR capability.
    • Photomatix
Clothing for varying weather conditions.
  • Dress in layers.
    • Early mornings can be below freezing. Afternoons may get into 70’s. Evenings cool off very quickly after sunset.
  • Gloves and head coverings.
  • Comfortable hiking shoes. We may go on short hikes up to 1/2 mile.
  • Flashlights or Headlamps highly advised for night photography sessions w/ extra batteries.
Water & Snacks
  • Plan on having plenty of water. Humidity in this area is often quite low.
  • Snacks for field sessions.
Cell Phone
  • Can be of limited use in the remote Mountains. Cell coverage is spotty.
  • Useful for your favorite photo apps. (Photo Pills )

Private Gigapixel Panoramic Photography Training

“One on One” private training is still available. While I am no longer doing annual workshops, I am available to do private instruction. I offer individual One Day classes that cover the essentials needed to get started doing Gigapixel Panoramic Photography. I can custom tailor the instruction based on the individual’s level of experience. In general, the curriculum will consist of the class room portion of days 1 to 3 of my Gigapixel Panoramic Photography Workshop held in Ouray, CO in the past.

  • Gigapixel Photography is considered “Advanced Photography” and attendees should be experienced beyond beginner levels with a solid working knowledge of shutter speeds, f-stops, ISO focal lengths etc.
  • Student/s should own or have access to some type of Panoramic Nodal Head in addition to camera, Promote Control or Arsenal Control, tripods etc..
  • The One Day Mini-Workshop training will consist of 8 hours of classroom training at our home in Longmont, CO. Base cost is $485 for first person.
    • If 2 or more additional students participate at the same time for Group pricing is $450 each in the 8 hour classroom session.
    • We do not offer accommodations or meals for students. There are numerous motels and hotels in the Longmont area.
    • If you need the training done at another location, then student/s will be required to pay for travel, meals and accommodations for the instructor.
  • In Field Follow-up and Training
    • There are numerous areas in Colorado outside the national parks that offer good settings to utilize the skills taught in the classroom training.
    • In field training is $60/ hour per person.
      • Within 50 miles of Longmont we will waive transportation charges from Longmont to destination and back to Longmont. Students can either travel on their own or I can provide transpartation for up to 3 people.
      • For distances greater than 50 miles from Longmont, CO, but within the State of Colorado, student/s will be required to pay mileage at rate of $0.50 per mile after first 50 miles to the location.
      • Outside of the State of Colorado, the costs for travel, meals and accommodations for the instructor during field training needs to be scheduled at time of registration, and included as part of the travel costs for the classroom training.
  • In Field Training in Rocky Mountain National Park
    • In most cases, permits and fees are not required for filming, still photography, or audio recording that involves eight or fewer individual  in Rocky Mountain National Park.
    • A $350/day surcharge for groups larger than eight people is required if you want to do in field training in Rocky Mountain National Park.
    • I can provide transportation from Longmont to RMNP and back to Longmont for up to 3 people.
    • If you plan to travel in your own vehicle, you will be required either to pay a $20 entrance fee per vehicle (with 16 or fewer passengers) or to present a valid park pass (seven-day entrance pass, Rocky Mountain National Park annual pass, or other pass valid for entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park). Park service may raise rates in 2018.
  • All students booking field sessions are required to sign a liability waiver.  Please download Liability-Release-Form.pdf, read, print, and sign the liability waiver (PDF) and bring it with you to the workshop.

For more information or to book your private workshop, please call or email me. I look forward to helping you achieve you photography goals.

Contact Info:

John Freeman, 303-485-9437 Home

email [email protected]

Feel free to contact me for more information and any questions you may have.

Back to Workshop page.