Whether you are a professional photographer or an enthusiast, postering is a great way to showcase your work. What is postering you ask? Simply put, postering is when you turn your camera vertically and take a panoramic photo. For those who have never tried it, panoramic photos are large-scale 360-degree photographs. They allow for a greater depth of field, creating an illusion of larger scale. A lot of people use panoramic photos as decorative wall art or as a backdrop for videos, like Instagrammers and vloggers. Because of their popularity, you can find plenty of places to purchase pre-made posters, but making your own is a lot of fun and can be a great way to save money.
The Basics Of Postering
Before we begin, it is important to note a few things about postering. First, to take a panoramic photo, you will need a camera that is capable of shooting panoramic photos. Most cameras on the market today are capable of shooting these types of photos, so make sure you have one of these cameras before you begin your process.
Additionally, you will need a steady hand and a creative mind. If you are looking for a more traditional approach to photography, postering can be a bit challenging, as you will be rotating your camera all while holding it perfectly still. However, with a little bit of practice and a steady hand, creating a traditional scene like a panoramic photo is much easier. In case you are wondering, panoramic photos are usually measured in degrees, with a 360-degree photo being completely vertical. Since we are working with a 360-degree photo, we will be setting the camera to its side to take a photo. This is called setting the shot on its side.
The Steps
Now that you know the basics of postering, it’s time to get started. Follow these simple steps to create an amazing panoramic photo.
(1) Find a location that has the perfect atmosphere for what you are looking for. For example, if you are trying to take a picture of a sunset, make sure that you find a location that has that perfect orangey-red tone to it. If you are looking for a more modern look, an art gallery or museum can be an ideal location. If you are looking for a more traditional approach, a castle or cathedral can be a great choice. Think about what you are looking for and find a location that has it.
(2) Set up your camera on a tripod and turn it on its side. Make sure that the lens is leveled correctly, as this will make a huge difference in the quality of your final product.
3) Find a focal point in the scene you just created. This could be a person, animal, object, or anything that has the drawing power to hold the viewers’ attention. One thing to keep in mind is that you are not limited to one focal point; make sure to have several so that the viewer does not get bored.
(4) Using a handheld flash, take a few test shots to ensure that you can get the lighting how you want it. If needed, adjust the brightness and/or contrast settings on your camera.
(5) When you are happy with your test shots, press the shutter button all the way down to take a photo. As soon as you press it, the camera will begin to spin. It will need a little bit of time to reach its maximum speed, so you may have to wait for a few seconds before the image is completely captured.
(6) When the image is completely captured, you can remove the flash and take a look at your photo. If it doesn’t look good, re-light it with the handheld flash and take another photo. If it looks good, stop and print it out.
(7) Once you are done taking photos, turn off your camera and remove the medium. You can either keep the photo as it is or, if you want, you can crop it to size. Remember: your final product will be printed on photographic paper, so make sure that you get the proportions right.
Why Use A Posterscope?
If you are looking for a quick and easy way to showcase your work, look no further. Posterscopes make printing out your photos easy and fun. They also allow for greater depth of field, creating a more 3D appearance. This is thanks to their larger aperture. For those who are unfamiliar, the aperture is the opening in your lens that allows for more light to enter. The larger the aperture, the greater the depth of field. If you have a bigger wallet, you can purchase a telephoto lens to get even more depth of field. Additionally, a lot of postering software and cameras on the market today have image stabilizer technology, which provides for blur-free images.
To conclude, postering is a fun and easy way to showcase your work. Since we have established that it is much easier to create a panoramic photo when done digitally, it is high time for you to get started. Remember to follow the steps above and you will attain great results in no time!