Corona Del Mar, Winter / Spring 2006.

Vertical Panorama, composed from many different RAW images.

To create this photographic impossibility, I had to take a couple technical liberties. Firstly, I had to combat the dynamic range present in the scene; no camera can capture detail in a sunset AND a shaded tide pool at the same time, even though our eyes do it automatically. To do this I bracketed exposures and merged the images in Photoshop. Secondly, I had to make sure everything stayed in focus, from near (about 1 foot) to far. (infinity) With the 24mm lens I was using, this would have been impossible even at F/22, and I was shooting at f/11 to avoid diffraction. To do this I bracketed focus as I re-composed each frame, and merged the images in Photoshop.

I think this is how photography should be accepted: I overcame the technical limitations of my camera equipment to re-create a scene I could easily see with my own eyes. A purist might call this cheating, but I did not remove anything that was there or add anything that was not there so I feel justified. I hope you enjoy viewing this image!

-Matt-

PS: This image was entered in the official DeviantArt panorama contest, hosted by londonxpress. The winners have been announced, and this image took the grand prize. I would like to thank all of the people who helped out with this contest, Londonxpress and all the judges and all the donors who helped pitch in for the prizes! Thank you very much, I am so honored...

The image is available for print of course, but since DA does not currently offer panoramic prints, it must be ordered personally through paypal or by other means. It is a 8x24" or 10x30" print, matted with a border similear to how it is displayed here. Please get in touch with me via email to buy!