First effort at a panorama? Wish my first effort was as good! I now use Photoshop Cs6 which in most cases does a very good job of stitching multiple images. I've found that:- the best focal length is just over 50mm equivalent which is, as you say, 35mm for a DX body, so there is minimal distortion, keep the camera as level as possible and overlap the images by approximately 25%. I usually let the camera's 'P' setting decide exposure because Cs6 matches adjacent images so well but you may have to help other software a little. Keep in mind that the file sizes can very quickly overwhelm the available ram in your computer, (I now have 16 gig which seems to be enough) so you may have to reduce the pixels per inch resolution of your images before you stitch. I have always needed to tidy up by cropping or cloning so I shoot portrait to increase the vertical angle of view of the 50mm lens. Be sure that your "sweep" remains true to the horizontal, don't follow a slope up or down for instance as this will distort or produce jagged edges in the pano. Do a few practice sweeps, use a tripod by all means but with a bit of practice freehand saves a lot of setting up getting the pan head set on the bubble etc. That about it really, the rest is up to you. Have fun!!

Every year I help judge a science fair at a local middle school. All I can say is that I would certainly hope Bram doesn't judge a science fair my kid was in. Talk about stepping on someone's self esteem and then wiping it off their boot on the grass. There are ways to offer a critique without being quite so brutal. When I judge a science fair, even when the project is lousy, I make sure that I always write down at least one positive comment, whether it be the use of bright colors, originality or so on. When the kid comes to school dirty and stinking, it's obvious that the parent or parents of these kids don't give a rip about their kid or their school work, which is no doubt why their project stinks. It saddens me when the kid lights up when I ask them about the work they did, where they got the idea and so
on. It's pitifully obvious that these kids receive no attention or interest at
home. I do always give critiques, such as the need for brighter colors as a
way to help them next year, but at least when I'm done with them, they feel
no worse and many seem to feel better just because I showed a little interest.And rlaugh, as for your photos, I personally like the second, unaltered on better. Just my personal tastes, but I like the different textures of the fruit. And while that disturbing looking waffle-cracker thing may seem out of place because it's not a fruit, Mr Waffle does throw in some straight lines, the only stright lines in the photo except for the triangles of the place mat below the plate. I really like your lighting, I guess because I've never delved into
still life photos.
for the critiques, don't let some of the more intense opinions bother you. I figure a critique properly done should result in the critiqued thanking the critiquer, rather than them wanting to bury that person's camera in a well used cat box.[/quote
Thank you very much!!...none of the helpful critique bothered me at all,thats why I asked for it!! Its ones that offer nothing better then..."don't bother" that
are useless and non productive! And if you check,these types never post pics!
I just hope this kind of crap doesn't discourage some new members!! Againthank you!![/quote

If your critiqueing my take on your photo , bravo thats what i mean say whats
In your head . But lets face it, your too kind[/quote]

rlaugh may be too kind, but you Bram-boy (what a great name) are still an
asshole, who has nothing of merit or importance to say. As I have said before,
as well as others, if you want to be taken seriously, learn how to spell and
the proper use of grammar. And, please no more sad stories how you grew up
poor, and had to work the farm and couldn't learn to spell. You have a
computer use it to learn.

I agree Winterrose. For someone who has been only in UHH for a week I too think he came on strong. Let him show his work before jumping in so quick. (Hope not another JR1) Rlaugh comes over as a great guy and has helped me.