Well, more of a monologue, but feel free to ask questions in the comment section. I am occasionally asked about the 360 cameras I use (Inst360 One R and Insta360 One X2, which I used today). Today, though, I just shot some still images (the 360 cameras are at their best when shooting video). As with video, you can just press the shutter release and decide afterwards what view you want. For those not familiar with 360 imaging, that sounds unbelievable... but, that is how it works: the camera is looking around in a 360º view... if you want to look left, right, in front, behind, you have that option after the fact.
So, with that in mind, here are some photos of some island cruising today:
In LIV...
The camera was mounted on my left mirror stalk - works good for a selfie on the bike. Then, across the swingbridge...
And onto the causeway...
All those different views above without ever moving, or even touching, the camera; I use my phone as a remote. I can see the phone (mounted near my left hand) while still looking forward, so I don't have to take my eyes off the road.
Cruising down Gulf Blvd...
Heading into the Convention Center grounds, the next 4 images are made from the same image file...
The image immediately above is a "tiny planet" view - kind of gimmicky, but just to show another possibility with 360.
A couple of the "big chairs" by the Convention Center...
... with a forward view. A different look at the Whaling Wall...
Again, both views directly above from the same 360 file. Then, leaving the Convention Center...
Back down Padre Blvd, a stop in front of one of the beach shops, with 3 different view from the same file...
The image above, another tiny planet, below is an inverted version...
Back across the causeway (same file)...
And a stop at the stoplight at the intersection on the other side of the causeway...
Again, all 4 of the above images are from the same file. Because of all the different options with each file, it takes a long time to go through. If you want to, and have the file storage space, you could also load any of these files in a 360 format, where the viewer could click on the image and "move around" within that image. Time, storage space, and computing power.
So, why aren't we all using 360 cameras? Why don't the phone manufacturers include that capability in their high end phones? Thanks for asking. Most people want to shoot, then be able to look at and share what they shot - not so easy with 360 files - it takes time and patience to look through all the views and edit, then some skill to work up the image. As far as putting the capability in a phone: cost and equipment. You'll be spending about $400 on something like an Insta 360 One X2 camera - phone manufacturers have to decide if this is something their users would be willing to pay for above and beyond the cost of the phone. Even more significant: a 360 camera uses lenses that stick out beyond the body of the camera - those lenses are delicate... they would not take the abuse that many people put their phones through. A drop that your phone case would protect your phone would scratch the lenses on a 360 device.
I don't see that happening any time soon. Personally, I really enjoy the 360 capability... but, there are things it can't do that other cameras can: telephoto images. Even in a "narrow view," it is still quite wide angle. There are some "abberations" with 360, mostly with the perspective... some straight lines will looked curved, items closer to the camera may get that "fish eye" look. You have to be willing to accept that it isn't necessarily the way your eye will see it. The flip side of that: you can get some dramatic images.
When using it for video, plan to spend a couple hours editing your way through 15 to 30 minutes of 360 video. You will need significant storage space and processing power. Many people shoot 10 second clips and post that clip directly to social media from their phone - cute, but that doesn't tell much of a story. Insta360 has a great app for working with those videos. If, however, like me you want to put together 20 or 30 360 video files to make a "mini movie," you will also need to have video editing software... and time to do that. You will learn all about using key frames to direct the action in the video, picking formats (16x9, 9x16, square, etc), adding audio to the finished product, and/or using a remote mic with the camera, editing (which is more deciding what to cut to hopefully keep the video interesting). It takes time... a finished 8 minute video clip, edited with music and/or a voice over, uploaded to to YouTube will take hours to produce. Something like that first music video Mark & I did took me several days to create.
If I didn't enjoy the process, I wouldn't be shooting 360. Let me know if you have any questions.
No comments:
Post a Comment