• Reason for and how to find “nodal” point of you lens/camera to eliminate parallax.
• How to set your camera to assure required consistency needed for perfect quality panoramic images.
• Selecting the ideal time of day, location and conditions to assure great results with your panoramas.
  • Optimizing the setup of Gigapan or manual heads to minimize time required to capture images.
  • Dealing with light variation due to changing light, moving clouds, rising or setting sun.
  • Determining overlap needed for good stitch results.
• Framing and composition for panoramic photography
  • Beyond “Rule of Thirds”.
  • Placing horizon.
  • Visualizing finished image in the field.
• Optimizing exposure settings to maximize dynamic range.
  • How to use “Expose to the Right” to maximize your camera’s Dynamic Range and post processing resulting in clean noise free images.
• Keeping it in focus.
  • Limitations when using longer focal lengths of 50mm to 300mm+
  • Understanding Hyper Focus Distance and it’s importance when using telephoto lenses.
  • Limitations related to f-stop settings to avoid Diffraction softening of images.
  • Day 2 afternoon session will be a deep dive into using Focus Stacking with Canon R series, Nikon Z series and Sony A7RV cameras.
• We will review stitching, focus stacking & processing programs:
  • Adobe Camera Raw for pre-processing
  • Helicon Focus for focus stacking
  • PTGui for stitching
  • Finalizing your panorama in Photoshop
• How to assure highest quality images using “Best Practices for Stitching”
  • You will need to bring your own laptop with Photoshop CS6 or later. CC2024 or later recommended.
  • Click here for list of equipment to bring with you.
• Using Photoshop to post process stitched images.
• HDR Panoramas (Optional day 4)
  • Learn when you need HDR.
  • Proper setup for shooting HDR panoramas
  • Equipment recommendations and setup.
  • Processing HDR images. Prior to stitching vs. with stitching software.
  • Review HDR software.
• Panoramic Night Photography (Optional day 5)
  • Learn the basics of capturing panoramic images of the night sky.
  • 2020’s Night Photography focused on Moonscapes because of Full Moon
  • You will use your wider angle fast lens.
  • Camera with ISO 3200 – 6400 low noise capability such as Canon 5Diii or Nikon D-810 or D-850, Sony A7Rii, A7Riii.
  • 14- 50mm f-2.8 or faster recommended.
  • We will teach you what shutter speeds, apertures and ISO you need to capture sharp crisp star images.

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, remote cable release, tripods  and etc..
  • See the “What to Bring” list.
• 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 transportation 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 your photography goals.

Contact Info:

John Freeman, 303-485-9437

email [email protected]

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