by Steve Tanham
Some smart phones have a ‘Panorama’ feature within the photography options. This allows a left to right scan to be taken of the scene in front of you. You can make it as wide as you like, subject to a maximum of about 180 degrees. The trade-off is that the wider it is, the thinner the vertical slice of scenery, as below.
It never crossed my mind to wonder what would happen if you did it vertically. Until I was faced with a massive oak tree and no room on the path to move backwards. The results weren’t great; the problem being that the light levels usually increase dramatically as you pivot up towards the sky, resulting in an over-exposed upper half of the shot. The other issue is that any deviation from a straight vertical distorts the image – particularly with ‘line features’ like trees.
But, occasionally, you get lucky and it’s worth the experiment. In the example below, I had no idea there was a small rainbow above me. Along with the graduated clouds, it made up a very magical sky.
If you have a panorama feature on your smartphone (and many people don’t realise they do) then give it a try. The first time you get something extraordinary, you’ll be hooked…
©Stephen Tanham 2020
Stephen Tanham is a Director of the Silent Eye School of Consciousness, a not-for-profit teaching school of modern mysticism that helps people find a personal path to a deeper place within their internal and external lives.
The Silent Eye provides home-based, practical courses which are low-cost and personally supervised. The course materials and corresponding supervision are provided month by month without further commitment.
Steve’s personal blog, Sun in Gemini, is at stevetanham.wordpress.com.
Sun in Gemini 
I am often frustrated by the lack of perspective in some shots, as you say, you either cannot move any further back or the shot is too awkward anyway. So this technique is worth knowing. Thanks, Steve…
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My pleasure, Jaye. Happy snapping…
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I must admit I’ve neglected this function, Steve. As you say it can be a bit hit and miss with the exposure but occasionally stunning. You’ve inspired me to experiment with it a little more.
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I’m glad, Michael. Let me know when you capture a belter!
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Wow, very cool!
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Thank you, Alethea…. and for the reblog. Give it a try. Just beware of sciences which are much brighter than the ‘floor level’ at which you start 😎
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You’re welcome. I will definitely give it a go and see what happens 🙂
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Reblogged this on The Light Behind the Story.
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This was something I absolutely was not aware of, so I am glad to learn of it. Thank you kindly.
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Fun to explore, Anne. Have fun but watch for scenes that are much brighter above than below – they will overexposed and look terrible!
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