High-res skies - Update 2

[Erik de Graaf]

We normally render at 3500 pixels wide, so any faults in the skytexture would become visible.

Thanks for your answers

[jophus14]

Fantastic images. Thank you so much.

[VKNT]

Had to post a reply to get this back on top of the thread list. I updated my first post with a link to a newly available sky.

http://www.sharecg.com/v/24741/texture/VKNT-SKY-0026

[PIXELBOX_SRO]

thank you very much

[Aldaryn]

Wow, just found this thread! Thank you very much for sharing!

I think 15K wide images are just enough for generic use if the images are top quality.

I'm using a canon 40D atm, and I must say, if you're onto hdr image recording, your biggest friend will be the ability to script sequence shooting.

Shooting 40x5 or x7 images per panorama is far from fun, especially when the sun moves during that... so a wide lens is a must. But won't help much if you're onto 20K on a 40D.

Recording the full illumination range of the day sky can be a bit tricky though. And trust me, you would want to have that range in your images.

A very useful paper on the howtos can be found here: http://gl.ict.usc.edu/skyprobes/

Best regards,
A.

[VKNT]

I think 15K wide images are just enough for generic use if the images are top quality.

I'm using a canon 40D atm, and I must say, if you're onto hdr image recording, your biggest friend will be the ability to script sequence shooting.

Shooting 40x5 or x7 images per panorama is far from fun, especially when the sun moves during that... so a wide lens is a must. But won't help much if you're onto 20K on a 40D.

A very useful paper on the howtos can be found here: http://gl.ict.usc.edu/skyprobes/

Best regards,
A.

Hi Aldaryn, thanks for your reply.

Up until today I was saving for a 40D. But after reading this shopping list (http://www.hdrlabs.com/tools/hardware.html), I changed my mind and I've put my mind on a Nikon D300. Why? > Shoots the same 9 frame AEB in 1 EV steps, with 6fps

If I would go for the 40D I would, as you have stated, carry my laptop around, buy shooting software etc.. With a D300, decent bracketing is build in
And at a rate of 6fps, it takes as much time as a my S2 now (crappy shutterlag)
Plus, there are more/better lens options available for Nikon to do panorama photography..

Of course there's a downside, D300 is a bit more expensive
But considering the specs I think it's worth saving a bit longer.

Anyways, until I then, I'm still happy with my S2..
If I find some time in the following weeks, I'll try to make a hdri with the S2 of a real studio setup. We have photography studio that we can use in my school

[LucidV]

nice skies...thanks.

[Aldaryn]

The D300 is a good piece of equipment also. Anyway, I think you might just need your laptop because shooting with 1ev difference between frames is not very efficient if you're planning to shoot the sky. You'll be able to cover a much bigger range with 5 to 7 carefully selected exposure levels then with nine with 1ev difference.

But considering how well done these panos are, I'm sure you'll do just fine doing hdris. I've only done hdri panos just for fun, and ended up with a rappy, but working program I wrote using the canon sdk, I1m not really into programming, but it was pretty straightforward. The sdk provides simple tools to measure, shoot, download images, etc. But I'm sure Nikon provides the same tools.

Best regards,
A.

[VKNT]

your biggest friend will be the ability to script sequence shooting.

Well I just found a new best friend
Yesterday I found this article: http://howto.wired.com/wiki/Supercha..._CHDK_Firmware

CHDK, the Canon Hacker's Development Kit, is an open-source software project that can be loaded on cameras using Canon's DIGIC II or DIGIC III firmware platforms. It unleashes new features including RAW file format, live histogram display, a battery readout, and the ability to run scripted actions on a camera.

I tried it on my S2 and it works like charm! I can now take as much brackets as I want in Manual Mode. Just hold the shutter and it keeps on taking alternating EV steps until I unpress. And if I can get my head around the code I could even script it to take the 5 - 7 exposures needed to capture the range of a sky..

The code hasn't been ported to the 40D, but considering the popularity of the camera, I don't think it will take that long..

[glorybound]

sky

I can't seem to be able to rotate these. I it as an environ Spherical map, but I don't have any control over rotating.

[glorybound]

Sky

Offset seems to be the ticket?

Beautiful skies and thanks for the share. I would love to see more tree lined images... I would buy them in a heart beat... providing the price is right.

[jonahhawk]

Thank You!

[VKNT]

Yep, you gotta use offset.
I'll see if I can find a spot not too far off with a nice treeline.
If I ever start a skydome-store you definitely hear from it!
If you have suggestions on what you would expect at what prize I'd be happy to hear them..

[glorybound]

Skies

I really like the ones you have! Keep up the good work.