Polar coordinates: Does anyone know if this effect can be controlled or is it more of an "on-off" switch. I like the effect it gave me; but I would love to know if the photographer has...

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Does anyone know if this effect can be controlled or is it more of an "on-off" switch. I like the effect it gave me; but I would love to know if the photographer has any control or does PS do it and you take it or leave it?

NYC Subway 59th st. station

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

I don not know how this was done, but interested in learning. Gary

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

gwong1 wrote:

I don not know how this was done, but interested in learning. Gary

I had a "normal" shot of a subway platform where the 59 st. pole was close to the center right of the picture. In photo shop, I chose Filters-distort-polar coordinates. the rest was done by the program.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

ebrunner wrote:

Does anyone know if this effect can be controlled or is it more of an "on-off" switch. I like the effect it gave me; but I would love to know if the photographer has any control or does PS do it and you take it or leave it?

I've played around with this, and it seems like the shot itself determines how it turns out. It's good to take several and see how they look "in the round."

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/30-examples-tutorials-of-stunning-polar-panorama-photos/

cthahn

ebrunner wrote:

Does anyone know if this effect can be controlled or is it more of an "on-off" switch. I like the effect it gave me; but I would love to know if the photographer has any control or does PS do it and you take it or leave it?

It would be nice if you told us how you took the picture. What camera, lens settings.

Singing Swan

There is some control over the effect, and it helps if you judge the photograph for doing this with the same as you might when stitching together several for a panorama. The more uniform the shot you begin with is, the better the result will be where the edges meet. Sometimes the abruptness is what you want, sometimes not. Also, Swede, user name ... llindstrand can give you some pointers on how to make the spot where they mesh less visible or abrupt. I'm still not too good with that one yet, but I'm getting there.
I have that particular effect in GIMP.

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

Jerry, Thanks. I have some panoramas to take next week. I tried the method with some ultra wide angle, nice, but incomplete. Will repost if I have any luck. Gary

jerryc41 wrote:

I've played around with this, and it seems like the shot itself determines how it turns out. It's good to take several and see how they look "in the round."

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/30-examples-tutorials-of-stunning-polar-panorama-photos/

One Sarasota Tower

Sarasota Bay Front

Singing Swan

cthahn wrote:

It would be nice if you told us how you took the picture. What camera, lens settings.

Things like that don't make a bit of difference when you start into the graphics end of post processing.

gwong1 Loc: Tampa, FL

Thanks. Gary

ebrunner wrote:

I had a "normal" shot of a subway platform where the 59 st. pole was close to the center right of the picture. In photo shop, I chose Filters-distort-polar coordinates. the rest was done by the program.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

jerryc41 wrote:

I've played around with this, and it seems like the shot itself determines how it turns out. It's good to take several and see how they look "in the round."

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/30-examples-tutorials-of-stunning-polar-panorama-photos/

Thanks for that link, Jerry. I would seem that the best way to control this effect is to plan the shot with the effect in mind. Something to consider. I think I'l play around with it a bit.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

cthahn wrote:

It would be nice if you told us how you took the picture. What camera, lens settings.

I did not do anything special in the taking of the picture. I shot the photo in the NYC subway as a train was approaching. I believe I used a pretty slow shutter speed of around 1/30sec. I was using a Nikon D7000 and the 28-300mm zoom. ISO number was around 1250. The effect was created in Photo Shop using the "polar coordinates" filter. Hope this helps to explain my previous rather scanty description of the photo.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Singing Swan wrote:

There is some control over the effect, and it help... (show quote)

Thanks. I'm getting the impression you should have the effect in mind when shooting or arranging the composition.

Wellhiem Loc: Sunny England.

ebrunner wrote:

Does anyone know if this effect can be controlled or is it more of an "on-off" switch. I like the effect it gave me; but I would love to know if the photographer has any control or does PS do it and you take it or leave it?

This is a screen shot from Elements 11. As you can see there are very few options.

Singing Swan

ebrunner wrote:

Thanks. I'm getting the impression you should have the effect in mind when shooting or arranging the composition.

It does help, and sometimes an overall even sort of photograph might work well, like a closeup shot of Christmas lights on tree branches, for instance, or an empty field with a horizon of trees. After you've messed around with this particular one you'll get a feel for what you can do with it and what the results will be from a particular photo. Then you might actually go make photos that will work really well

PrairieSeasons Loc: Red River of the North

ebrunner wrote:

Does anyone know if this effect can be controlled or is it more of an "on-off" switch. I like the effect it gave me; but I would love to know if the photographer has any control or does PS do it and you take it or leave it?

The Polar Coordinates filter is "on-off", although you can get pleasing effects by using this filter in combination with others. I frequently do floral pix like these sumac bushes. I have had poorer results with architectural subjects than landscape subjects.