Fourth Best Of

OK, here's my working, or running, copy of what I will be finalizing with sound. I'm still working on the actual angles and field of view and such, but I think what I've got so far is looking really good. The fact that I've learned this has opened up my mind to wanting to re-do my previous panoramas and make a VR with them. That, and go out and creat more. I've been attempting to do a full spherical VR but my experience thus far is very limited. Time will bring the talent! My final post should be my final, of not very close.

And yet again, click the photo to see the VR.

Third Best Of

Finally, here's my first attempt at capturing my first and most influential Trek point in the eyes of VR. This is the initial dock at Lake Michigan in Shorewood, WI. I recorded the great ice cracking incident here in my first Trek. No sound for this one as of yet, but it is to come and will add an entirely new element to it, I know. I can't wait. In the meantime this is my work in progress. My initial problem is the intricacy of the photograph and that brings the file size up, so it may take a while to load and view. You'll notice white areas around the photos. Some still need to be filled with other photos, but matching blue sky to blue sky and water to water is a little tough. I needed a working copy so I went with what I have.
Again, click the photo to view the VR.

Second Best Of

Once again before taking a shot at my actual Trek location I wanted to try an actual wide panorama. This time I've used one from my hometown in La Crosse. This one ended up working great because it was extremelly wide and very short, encompassing the entire Coulee view from atop Grandad's Bluff. An amazing view, one I know I'll create more VRs from. This one works well, but I think I've now learned that since it is indeed very low it is limiting the up and down views. Oh, well. Something to learn from and use the next time, right?

Click the photo to view the VR.

First Best Of

Here's the my first attempt at creating a Quicktime Virtual Reality. Taking a panoramic photograph I snapped while stationed in Afghanistan, I placed it in MakeCubic for Quicktime. I wanted to use an existing photo so as to get the hang of the programs. Well, no beginner's luck here as I quickly learned that while the photo worked as a stand alone panorama, the fact that it is height heavy, as in it's taller than it should be, this creates a problem as the camera position (in actuality, as well) is higher than ground level. This causes an issue when the VR tried to make a field of view. Instead of the point of origin being in the lower third of the photo it is dead center, therefore making this cylindrical effect. I fussed with all the options but to no avail. Oh, well. I tried.
Click the photo to see the VR.

Third question on Trek

A feature that remained constant in my Trek recordings is the sound of traffic. First of all, I can't stand traffic. And second of all, I think my next Trek will entail leaving traffic behind and enjoying the beauty of nature, finding a den or glen that I could accurately capture with my mikes. The rumbling and hissing of technology just doesn't cut it for a unique recording which is what I always strive for. I believe that the simplicity and silence of nature can easily be recreated through recording means. And you never know; like the ice cracking, I may experience something unusual again, like a tree falling!

Second question on trek

Refering back to the fact that my treks were in winter, and that one of my captures was of a man shoveling snow, I wonder what I could catch now that would be indicative of the changing season? How about kids on the playground, or a lawnmower, or several bicyclists riding by on their venture? I think a unique feature of these Treks is that they are not only capture the environment, but the season that that environment is experiencing. How neat is that?

First question on site

I recorded the ice cracking on Lake Michigan in Shorewood, WI, just north of Milwaukee. I had originally hung the mikes on either side of the jutting dock that I stood on in order to capture a surround feel to my recording. Seeing as that this was accomplished in the dead of winter, I wonder what I would discover if I were to do the same now that it's spring? The cracking ice was unique in itself, but I wonder if something other than sloshing water would suddenly appear in my recording? My guess is no, but you never know!