To start off you just need a few simple tools which include: What you need: 1.
A full frame camera 2.
An 8mm fisheye lens 3.
A coin 4.
A piece of string 5.
A laptop and some simple editing software Part 1, Before you Start: You're probably wondering how a coin and a piece of string fit into the picture (excuse the pun).
First up find that perfect surrounding that will be there essence of your photo.
Make sure not to have too many moving subjects as it might not come out as you think.
Make sure that all the camera settings are set to 'Manual' (white balance, focus etc) otherwise each photo you take will look slightly different.
Tie the coin to one end of the string and the other end around the front of the lens.
What you need to do is have the coin hanging just above the ground and keep it in exactly the same place so that we keep the camera on the no-parallax point.
I like to use a marker such as stone or something you have in your pocket at the time.
Part 2, Taking your images: Now very carefully you need to take four photos, each representing the four points of the compass, tilting the camera slightly up and down alternately.
Remember to keep the coin hanging exactly in the same place for each photo.
Once you've taken all four photo's your done.
Part 3, Stitching your images: Once you're back in front of the computer load up your stitching software (I would recommend PT GUI or Autopano) and import your 4 photos you took earlier.
Depending on what software you are using there should be a simple alignment button that will do all the leg work for you.
If your photos do not align properly you will need to create "control points" which will help your program align the images properly, check the help menu on your chosen program for a detailed instructions.
Once the photo's are aligned, click create panorama.
Hey presto.
Your panoramic photo should have been exported to the same location as your photo's.
Part 4, Post Processing: A little bit of post processing can go a long way.
I recommend using GIMP or Photoshop to spruce up your panorama.
Not only can you alter your brightness, contrast and colour levels to really make your panorama pop, you can add effects, correct lens flare and even stamp the bottom of your panorama.
Obviously not every panoramic photo comes out perfectly so keep practising until you get it right!