This page is intended for competition organisers and supplements the direct mailings you will have received.

Description of Pool Panoramas
Pool Panoramas provide a novel way of giving viewers an idea of what it is like to be at your competition.

Pool Panoramas are more than long photographs. The panorama software can give an optical effect that adds curvature and makes an all-round, 360 degree view, seem like you are really there. You can even make yourself giddy going round. Try standing up after looking at it and see what I mean.

It is even possible to "shape" the panorama so that it is like being inside the "centre of a sphere", at your competition at an instant in time. You can look up, and up and up, until you loop the loop and come down in the water. This is a fun visual experience, particulary if accompanied by a "pool sounds" audio clip.

Panorama Service
To create panoramas a series of overlapping photographs are needed.

Because the lighting in swimming pools is so variable, we use a camcorder, which can take good pictures at illumination levels as low as 3 lux, to pan round the poolside. The camcorder also captures the pool sounds which can be put on the Internet with the panorama and enhance the authenticity of the atmosphere at the competition.

The VHS recording is then played through a video capture board into the computer and selected snaps are captured as digital photo-images.

Using the Photovista software, these are then "stitched" together into one large photograph. The software then provides the necessary curvature which is used by the "RealSpace Viewer" to generate the desired optical effect.

Users need to download the (free) "RealSpace Viewer" from Live Picture's website (see Introduction page, Scope page) in order to get the full experience.

Publicity
As well as linking to the panorama from your competition homepage, links to all available panoramas are provided from the Multimedia page. Finally, new panoramas are notified, and linked to, on the "Whats New" page.

Alternative Procedure
An alternative procedure is when you can provide the necessary photographs. This might save us a journey, and money. We can input your photographs using an optical scanner and work from there. Bear in mind that the best effect for 360 degree panoramas is obtained if the camera is directed horizontally for all shots. This will also help the ends join up correctly. The use of a tripod helps. Try to ensure an even light level between all photographs so that the joins are not too obvious. Panoramas do not have to be the full 360 degrees, they can cover any sized arc.

The Costs
There are no additional costs other than if the competition is a long way from Luton, and I am not swimming in it, I may need to claim travel, and possibly subsistence and accommodation expenses, so this may need to be discussed in advance.

Suggested Exploitation
There are no fixed rules about how panoramas should be used. It is up to you.

For Swim Organisers
E-mail: swimsite@freeuk.com
Website: http://www.swimsite.org.uk


Last Revised: 9 Jun 98