Taking a great panorama shot can really capture the sweep of a landscape or the breadth of a scene. Pixel phones have long offered this feature, and with the launch of the Pixel 9, the panorama mode saw some significant changes under the hood. Now, Google is offering some pointers straight from one of its own photographers to help Pixel owners get the best possible results from this updated mode.
Tristan Greszko, a photographer on the Pixel development team focusing on image and video quality, shared his advice. He was actually part of the team that worked on improving the panorama feature. He noted that the mode now uses Pixel’s photo processing pipeline instead of the traditional video-based method. This means the camera stitches together individual photos, bringing more data and detail into the final wide image compared to just scanning a scene like older versions did. Tristan, who tested the mode by capturing impressive mountain views, offered four key tips.
First, he advises rotating just the phone while keeping your body still. This helps avoid jagged edges or ‘perspective shift’ in the final stitched photo. He suggests using the on-screen level indicator to help keep things steady.
Second, standing still is crucial, especially for panorama shots taken with Night Sight. The less you move, the sharper the final image will be. Night Sight Panorama turns on automatically when it’s dark enough. Just be patient as you move between points, pausing briefly at each one.
His third tip is to skip tapping the screen to adjust focus or exposure. The Pixel’s software is designed to handle this automatically in panorama mode. Tapping the screen would actually disrupt your stillness, going against the second tip.
Finally, Tristan encourages users to get creative. The mode can capture a full 360 degrees around you. He also mentioned trying vertical panoramas for unique perspectives. Experimenting with the mode can lead to some really interesting shots, he said. By following these simple steps, you can leverage the updated panorama mode for higher quality, smoother wide-angle photos.
Dwayne Cubbins
1369 Posts
My fascination with Android phones began the moment I got my hands on one. Since then, I've been on a journey to decode the ever-evolving tech landscape, fueled by a passion for both the "how" and the "why." Since 2018, I've been crafting content that empowers users and demystifies the tech world. From in-depth how-to guides that unlock your phone's potential to breaking news based on original research, I strive to make tech accessible and engaging.
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