5 Incredible Resources When Breaking Into 360 Photography
360 degree photography is the next big step in photography. More engagement with the viewer, more information shown and let’s face it, more fun.
How much of a big step? Well, Facebook’s doing it. Plus, research is already showing that a website with 360 degree interactive panoramas will receive 40% more views than simply using still images*.
It’s something that will be led by those developing the technology and those who pounce on the newest gadgets right? Wrong. It’s already possible for photographers — people with an eye for image composition and a skill for image editing — to become pioneers in 360 photography.
But where on earth to start?
Here’s a summary of what we regard as currently the best resources for photographers looking to break into 360 degree photography.
If you know of some gems that should be here, please let us know!
(*Pew Internet & American Life Studies)
1.Getting Started with 360° Photography | PhotographyBLOG
Technology has moved on a little from when this post was written, but is still very relevant for photographers looking to try out 360.
A pretty short & sweet post, but packed with info and advice about the necessary equipment to get started in 360 degree photography.
2. Hugin — A free 360 photo stitching tool
You may have heard of PTgui (http://www.ptgui.com/) and Kolor (http://www.kolor.com/) as being awesome tools for creating quality 360 degree images and videos. Hugin is a free tool for creating 360 images and tutorials.
Photographers have said it’s a little more complicated to get to grips with, but if you’re getting started in 360 photography, a free but very capable tool is a great place to start.
3. Create Cylindrical 360 Degree Panoramas With Hugin
Want to give Hugin a shot? Their website does have some useful tutorials, but if you prefer detailed step-by-steps with screenshots for this tool, here’s a great post (check out the rest of 360facil’s site — there’s a roster of other posts on creating 360 images!).
Milo Timbol is an active and incredibly talented 360 photographer who writes tutorial posts on creating 360 imagery. His entire blog is a comprehensive resource for 360 photography.
Check out samples of his own work, like the one above, and let him know if you’re interested in more in-depth learnings around 360 photography — a tutorial could be on it’s way!
5. How to produce 360VR Virtual Tours — Peter Stephens
Last but certainly not least — probably THE most beautiful — and visual — way 360 degree photo creation is explained. Peter Stephens and his team produce 360 VR imagery & Virtual Tours for almost any purpose.
Based in England, UK, with many of their images published worldwide across various publications — one definitely worth bookmarking!
