Business Ideas Swap [Archive] - Page 2

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enigma

09-03-2006, 03:51 PM

on the business side the mast makes sense, but it just doesn't have the "cool factor"!

cainebean

09-05-2006, 07:07 AM

Enigma,

You nailed it on the head with the cool factor. I always carry the heli because it has the cool factor and looks like it costs a lot of money. I think it makes me look pro. But, I'd rather use my mast anyday if at all possible. The price comparison between anything RC and a mast going down just make you want to use it. I have a smaller mast setup that I'm selling if you are interested.

Caine

dreslism

09-05-2006, 09:05 AM

The QT ActiveX control loads automatically in Windows Internet Explorer, after clicking on the warning bar at the top of the window. The first time I loaded one of Tabb's panos, this thing loaded. I didn't really know or care what it was, just what was needed to view the file. The controls are great amd easy/intuitive to use. I still don't have the regular Quicktime player loaded, just this small activeX control that loaded in a few seconds.

The available stitching tools are pretty phenomenal. You can create full 360x180 VR panos from even handheld shots and have it automatically correct for parallax errors in each image. This same software can take a shot from a wide angle lens and allow you to crop down to what a 50mm lens would see and correct the foregrond/background issue.

I've been playing with a number of camera/lens setups, trying to get a good compromise between quality, resolution and shot-taking simplicity. I have a Sony a100 with the standard 18-70mm lens and a Raynox 185 degree fisheye adapter. With this setup, I can get full 180-185 degree circular images, or by zooming the 11-70mm lens in a bit, fullframe 180 degree images that have a horizontal FOV of 180-185 degrees in the long dimension and about 120 degrees of vertical FOV. Mounting the camera in the portrait orientation allows you to do a single horizontal pan and get all the images you need for a full 360x180 QTVR scene. Using a tripod, I did two test shoots of a neighborhood from the center of a cul de sac. In the first, I used the circular fisheye mode and took three overlapping images. For the second set, I took six overlapping shots with the camera in the portrait orientation and used the "fullframe" mode. The resulting VRs are shown below:

http://www.tppacks.com/photos/Cul-de-Sac-PT-Fisheye.htm

http://www.tppacks.com/photos/Cul-de-Sac-PT-Fullframe-5.htm

You can clearly see the difference in clarity and detail between the two, but I was pretty amazed the circular fisheye 3-shot version came out as well as it did. The camera has 10.3 MP and the QTVR "movie" files are 14.4 mb and 19.8 mb, respetively.

The stitching programs not only can pretty much warp any image to it's proper orientation and create near flawless stitches what they really excel at is color correction. In both cases I had the camera in the full automatic exposure mode and auto-white balance was on. The images were completely different in contrast, etc., as at least one was shot directly into the sun. The stitcher did a great job smoothing the color out.

Anyway, I now know how to make decent pano VRs, with a minimum amount of fuss.

-- Gary

Gary,

Very nice, the six shot stiched pano is really nice.

What is full "framemode"?

The a100 is not a full frame sensor is it?

Also, what software did you use to do the stitching and vr creation with?

You seem to be realtively happy with the software you are using, I have not found happiness yet with the software I have tried.

The a100 is kinda heavy isn't it? Are you gonna take it up with your logo 10?

Thanks,

Scott

GGoodrum

09-05-2006, 10:57 AM

I've been playing with two main stitching programs, one is Image Assembler, from a company called PanaVue, and the other is various versions of PanoTools, with a front-end called PTGui. This latter combo is the "Photoshop" of stitching software, and is extremely powerful, but not very intuitive.

In this case, "fullframe" is related to how I'm using the fisheye lens adapter. With the lens in the full fisheye mode, the full circular image is shown. You can get away with only 2-3 images for a full 360 degrees, but the resolution is a lot less. Fullframe means the image is zoomed a bit so that it top and bottom portions are clipped, but the image fills the sensor and uses the full resolution.

The a100 is fairly light, with the 18-70mm lens and the 185mm adapter, the whole assembly is about 2-1/2 pounds, but the problem is that it is 10 inches long. That's a bit much for the Logo mount, but not for the heavier duty Raptor version. For the Logo, I plan on using one of the new 10MP Canon A640s. I have an adapter that will allow the 185 lens to fit on this model and is not anywhere near as long or heavy.

-- Gary

Nate Dogg

09-05-2006, 01:14 PM

Scott-
You can get the GUI of panotools here : http://hugin.sourceforge.net/
The newer version is better than the olod ones. I have a friend using another GUI of panotools that was $80 and he loves it! Go through the tutorials at hugin and let me know if I can help!
-Nate

dreslism

09-05-2006, 07:25 PM

Nate Dogg

09-05-2006, 07:28 PM

Scott-
With panotools, the only time you should have parallax errors with a point and shoot is indoors. The software takes care of the rest, even if you are not close at all. A fisheye lens makes things even better...

GGoodrum

09-05-2006, 11:12 PM

Thanks Gary, much appreciate the info.

One question I forgot to ask was if you used a pano head or not.

I just picked up a spherical pano head, but was on vacation all last week and did not get a chance to try it out yet.

Your panos look good, so just wondering if you used one or software is removing all parallax.

thanks

Yes, I used a Manfrotto pan head, with the portrait mounting option, but not "spherical" attachment. My lens combo was so long though, that I had to add a 1/8" aluminum plate in order to get the body back far enough.

Yesterday I tried another test. I used a 11-18mm lens, which works out to about a 16.5mm 35mm equivalent. The vertical FOV (portrait orientation...) of this lens is about 96 degrees. I did two pans of 8 shots each, one pointing down and one pointing up, for a total of 16 shots. I wanted to see how well the software handled creating 300mb TIFF files (iPTGui/PT did fine...), and I wanted to see what the max resolution would be for the resulting QTVR file, which ended up being 31mb (vs 19.5mb for the 6-shot "fullrame" and 14.5mb for the 3-shot "fisheye" files...).

This is a shot of our condo on Mission Bay, in San Diego. I choose this spot because it has a great mix of close and far objects, so I knew it would probably give the sticher fits. :) As it turns out, it did a pretty good job. There's a couple of "seams" that weren't perfect but I didn't bother doing the iterative optimization process, which can make the seams completely invisible. This was a "quick and dirty" effort, mainly to check resolutions, etc. and I didn't feel like doing to muc Photoshop work either. Anyway, here is the file:

http://www.tppacks.com/photos/SD_CONDO-.htm

Anyway, it is a continuing learning process. Lots of trial and error, but I'm starting to get how to manipulate the PT programs to get pretty decent results, without having to spend 10 hours on the computer for each effort.

-- Gary

GJestico

09-05-2006, 11:51 PM

that last one whacked out my puter.....

WillJames

09-06-2006, 02:45 AM

It takes a lot longer to load than some of the ones Gary has done, but it worked good for me. Pretty interesting buildings side by side. I like the wood and glass one best. ;)

Nice panos, that is totally cool Gary!!

lakespinner2

09-06-2006, 07:44 AM

Nice work Gary. This is just too cool ! And the resolution is pretty darned good too. Check out the barefoot photographer. :glasses2:

GGoodrum

09-06-2006, 10:57 AM

Handsome devil... :lol:

Normally, I think this much detail would be too much, but I wanted to see what is possible.

-- Gary

furyphoto

09-06-2006, 11:52 AM

OK, Two Words.... PRESS RELEASE!

If you have a unique business, and you do! Sending a decent press release to your local media will almost always get you some free media coverage, Newspapers, radio, even TV stations will come and do a bit on you and your cool RC Heli that shoots Aerial Photography.

Make sure you have some really good samples, and a couple of great shots of your heli, maybe with the camera mounted, and shot at hover, head on against a plain background so it stands out.

Look up a few press releases on line, and write something similar about your business, include a buisness profile at the end with info about you , and how your business works. Give it a title like "Local Entrepenuer Andrew Doran takes photography to new hights!" or some other significantly cheesy attention getting cliche. Then send it out with photos to every media outlet within your operating area.

A Press Release is the professional way to get media attention, and local media are always looking for local human interest stories. Just make sure you market the uniqueness of your business, and not the fact that you are trying to make money.

Have a statement ready that tells all about what you do, and the possible uses, and perhaps a few references that will talk about how unique and cool your service is. When the media comes knocking, be ready for them.

It is important to try to distribute your press release in a slow news cycle, when the medial are looking for stories, If CNN has a story so big that it has been running non stop for days, (like Terror, or Predsident fell off a horse or someting) wait a while to release you release! Don't try to compete!

AP is so unique, that the reporters will just want to watch you fly your heli. It is a story that they will want to do, as long as they are not too busy with "REAL" News.

-A

furyphoto

09-06-2006, 12:09 PM

If you are using a PC, (actually, now available for MAC too, although I have never tried the Mac version) the best VR tool hands down IMHO is PhotoVista by I-See Media

http://www.iseephotovista.com/products/panorama/product_info.html

This software is used by VRX Studios, the largest producer of travel virtual tours in the world! http://www.vrxstudios.com I know, I used to work for them. (Check out the Holland America Cruise Ships, I shot almost all of them!) I would shoot anwhere form 10 to 20 VR Tours a day, and it would take about 30 min to stitch all of them using PhotoVista

It exports to a Java Applet, and writes an html page that you can cut and paste the code into any web page you want.

Pro Version with all the bells and whistles is $350, but for most applications, the $69 basic version will be all you need.

You can download a free trial for windows, Check it out.

http://www.iseemedia.com/landing_virtual/trial_pv.htm

-A

GGoodrum

09-06-2006, 05:05 PM

I looked at PhotoVista but it doesn't do multi-row panoramas, and you can't define different lens parameters for individual shots, both of which are easily handled in PTGui/PT.

-- Gary

MLaBoyteaux

09-07-2006, 10:55 PM

I ordered some brochures from http://www.gotprint.net for my business. 500 full color, double sided, tri-fold 8.5 x 11 for $139 plus shipping. Whole thing came to a little over $150.

They have templates you can download which will show you where the bleed margins and fold lines are. I downloaded the ones for Photoshop and designed the brochure myself. Uploaded it and got an email confirmation for approval the next day. Took a couple of days to print and then 3 days for shipping (except UPS actually took 7 days to get them here).

They turned out great! I checked into getting some printed at the local Staples, but they wanted 1.75 EACH. Ouch.

dreslism

09-07-2006, 10:59 PM

I ordered some brochures from http://www.gotprint.net for my business. 500 full color, double sided, tri-fold 8.5 x 11 for $139 plus shipping. Whole thing came to a little over $150.

They have templates you can download which will show you where the bleed margins and fold lines are. I downloaded the ones for Photoshop and designed the brochure myself. Uploaded it and got an email confirmation for approval the next day. Took a couple of days to print and then 3 days for shipping (exept UPS actually took 7 days to get them here).

They turned out great! I checked into getting some printed at the local Staples, but they wanted 1.75 EACH. Ouch.

So C'mon, let's see them. :D

MLaBoyteaux

09-07-2006, 11:23 PM

Well, ok. Here's a pdf version, it's 500kb.
http://www.hawkeyemedia.com/hawkeyemedia_brochure.pdf

I spent 2 days working on the layout and PROOFREADING. I read it forwards and backwards. My wife (a 4th grade teacher) looked it over.

It wasn't until she was looking at them this week when they showed up that she found the typo. Dangit! Oh well, it'll get corrected in the next batch.

AeroMattics

09-07-2006, 11:36 PM

30 cents a piece is pretty good. I was thinking of making up my own but I got a feeling it will end up costing more in the long run.

I'd like to see your brochure as well! :)

Matt

AeroMattics

09-07-2006, 11:46 PM

That looks fantastic! I like the black background it really makes the photos pop. Nice Work.

cainebean

09-09-2006, 04:10 PM

Ok so I need to give everyone an update…. First, let me say that I didn’t get the chance to work this like I wanted. I had a mast I needed to pickup, and company the rest of the week. Not making excuses, just didn’t plan this right. So I lightly kicked myself in the butt so the “sales people” here helping get their kicks in.

I took my business cards to a new printing company and so far, this is about the best thing I’ve done for my business. They started reading the card and the guy started showing me ways he could use my services with his business. I thought this was great but didn’t give it a lot of weight. I redid my cards and had them back to the printers by 9 am the next morning. Walked in the door and they had 2 paying jobs for me…. And, the are doing my brochure for free because they want to make sure I have the best I can since they will also be sending me out on their behalf as well. Couldn’t pass that up.

I’ve got a meeting with one of the biggest local real estate agencies here. On the 18th I have to give a presentation to the owner, the broker, the head marketing person, and any agents that might be interested. They are bribing the agents with lunch and a glimpse of my helicam. I love how much people love looking at the Helicam. I’m going to do a pano for the presentation of one of their commercial propertys.

A local motorcycle dealer saw my website and called me about construction progression for them. This is my 8th call from the phonebook. I’ve got to meet with them on ,uesday to get everything setup. Sounds like I have the deal, but I’ve felt like that before. But it is nice knowing they searched me down. Regardless, it is forward movement.

I have a working partnership with a company in Mississippi that will be handling all of my video backend needs. They are a new business as well but they have done tons for the casinos in Ms, so they aren’t “just” starting out. He needs me to go out of state to take video of a neighborhood being built. Cheapest house starts and 800,000 and there will be 69 total houses. I have to fly a straight line where a street is going to be, and the company in Ms will overlay the houses they plan on building. This is great because when it is all done and over, I’ll have a professional piece I can show to help drum up business locally! And this job alone will pay a few months of daycare. Daycare for my 2 sons is more than my house payment.

So, in a week of halfassing it, I got my cards printed at a discount, a working agreement with a printing company, free brochures, 2 paying jobs, a meeting with one of the biggest real estate firms in town, a possible video job, and most of all the push I needed to really motivate me. I am so lucky this worked out like it did because you can really see that “others” really can see the benefits of using someone like myself vs a full size aerial company. Now, I can’t wait for Monday because it will be on!

Good luck to all and thanks for the tips, motivation, direction, and information sharing in this thread. Hopefully this will push some of the others in here to go for it as well. And I’m going to be the one that says this for some, “ This is only 1 week of trying and there are a lot of maybes, and whatever other negative you can fill in this space….”. I’ve got a long way to go before this “really” starts working but, I’ve come a long way in one week.

tcgliderguy

09-09-2006, 04:50 PM

So what did you do in your spare time? :-)

Congratulations! I've added you to my list of role models!

-Taylor

kaptkaos

09-10-2006, 08:59 PM

Its not easy starting the business, takes about a year to really make it from what I have seen. I have 3 months in and only sold a few shots. Mostly progress stuff. I hope that will all change. Our product is getting better, and I hae been knocking on a lot of doors. We will see. A press release is in my plans soon.

I just really wanted to hae my product and skills nailed down first. This is a lot different from 3D flying. We practice EVERY weekend at least 5-6 hours.

cainebean

09-10-2006, 10:11 PM

kaptkaos good luck. I wish I had enough time to practice like that. Right now, spreading the word is my top concern. Let us know what is working for you if you don't mind.

cainebean

09-10-2006, 10:12 PM

Recurring or retainer deal?

So I have a meeting on the 18th of this month with one of the largest Real Estate firms here in the county I live in. I’m going with the “Own my zip code” strategy. Thanks TCGlider. I’ve talked with the head marketing director about 10 times in the past week and they are really excited about my services. And I’m glad they are!

They made up a flyer for all of their agents and I already have about 10 agents, the main broker, the owner of the company, and the head marketing person wanting more info. One thing I was asked to consider is selling package deals to individual agents and the agency as a whole. So I was thinking the tier system would be the best route.

1 – 5 a month for ??
6 – 10 a month for ??
+10 ??

Anyone have any thoughts on this or using something along these lines?