How Make a 360 Photo

Start Creating Stunning 360 Images Today

Overview

Want to learn how make a 360 photo? In this detailed guide, we’ll take you through the steps to create immersive 360-degree images, whether you’re using a smartphone or professional camera. Perfect for photographers, real estate agents, and anyone wanting to showcase spaces in a whole new way! Start creating stunning 360 photos today with our expert tips from threesixty.tours

How to Make a 360 Photo: A Step-by-Step Guide

Creating 360-degree photos, or panoramic images as they are sometimes called, is a fantastic way to capture an entire environment in a single, immersive image. These interactive photos allow viewers to explore a scene by dragging their mouse or moving their smartphone. Whether you’re a real estate agent wanting to offer virtual tours or a photographer looking to expand your skills, learning how to make a 360 photo is a must in today’s digital world.

In this blog post, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about making 360 photos—from the equipment you need to the best practices for shooting and editing your images.

What is a 360 Photo?

A 360 photo (also called a panorama) is a type of image that captures an entire scene in all directions—front, back, left, right, up, and down. Instead of looking at a single viewpoint, viewers can navigate around the image to see different angles and perspectives. These photos are often used for virtual tours, allowing viewers to “step inside” a room or outdoor setting.

Why Make 360 Photos?

360-degree panoramic images are incredibly versatile and valuable across different industries. Here’s why you might want to learn how to make a 360 photo:

Real Estate: Show prospective buyers every angle of a property, offering a more immersive viewing experience compared to static images.
Events and Conferences: Capture the full energy of an event, allowing viewers to explore the setup, attendees, and venue as if they were there.
Tourism and Hospitality: Let potential visitors explore hotels, landmarks, or even city streets before they visit.
Photography: Expand your portfolio with interactive and visually stunning content that sets you apart from traditional photographers.

A virtual tour is collection of 360 photos or panoramas. Below is a virtual tour of a luxury home which combines several panoramas to showcase the entire house.

Virtual Tour of a Home 👇 - Try it Out!

Tools You Need to Create 360 Photos

Before diving into how to make a 360 photo, it’s essential to gather the right tools. Depending on your budget and intended use, there are two primary ways to capture these images: using a smartphone or a dedicated 360-degree camera.

Smartphone with a Panoramic Mode

Most modern smartphones are equipped with panoramic modes, and some can create 360-degree images by stitching together several photos. Apps like Google Street View or Panorama 360 can enhance your phone’s capabilities.

Dedicated 360 Cameras

If you want higher-quality 360 images, investing in a dedicated 360 camera is a great option. These cameras have lenses that can capture a full 360-degree field in a single shot, giving you crisper and more accurate images. Popular 360 cameras include:

Ricoh Theta
Insta360 X4
GoPro MAX

Don’t be intimidated by different types of 360 cameras out there. This article on The Best 360 Cameras for Virtual Tours is great to help you decide.

Tripod (Optional but Recommended)

Stability is key when capturing 360 photos, especially when using manual methods like smartphone panoramas. A sturdy tripod for 360 cameras helps ensure your images are smooth and aligned correctly.

How to Make a 360 Photo Using a Smartphone

If you don’t have a dedicated 360 camera, you can still create immersive images with your smartphone. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make a 360 photo using just your phone.

Step 1: Install a 360 Photo App

Download an app like Snapseed or VSCO. These apps use your phone’s camera to stitch multiple photos together, creating a seamless 360-degree image. You can also use your smartphone to do it, here’s an article on how to take 360 photos with your iphone.

Step 2: Find a Suitable Location

Pick a location that will look good from every angle. Rooms with good lighting or outdoor environments with interesting landscapes work best for 360 photos.

Step 3: Use Panoramic Mode

Open the 360 app and switch to panoramic mode. Follow the on-screen prompts, usually guiding you to move your phone slowly in a circular motion to capture the entire scene.

Step 4: Take the Photo

Move your phone steadily, ensuring that each frame lines up correctly. Keep a steady hand and rotate in a smooth, even manner to avoid distortions.

Step 5: Let the App Stitch the Photo

Once you’ve captured all the frames, the app will automatically stitch the images together to create a full 360-degree photo. Some apps let you preview and adjust the stitching if needed.

3 Min video on How to Add Your First Panorama on threesixty.tours 👇 - Watch it

How to Make a 360 Photo Using a 360 Camera

If you’re ready to step up your game and create professional-quality 360 images, here’s how you can use a dedicated 360 camera.

Step 1: Set Up Your Camera

Mount your 360 camera on a tripod for stability. While some cameras can be handheld, using a tripod ensures a perfect alignment of images without blurring or distortion.

Step 2: Choose Your Camera Settings

Most 360 cameras have automated settings, but it’s important to choose a mode that suits your lighting conditions. Some cameras even allow for HDR modes, which are great for balancing light in challenging environments.

Step 3: Capture the Photo

Position your camera in the center of the space you want to capture. Depending on the camera, you might have the option to use a mobile app as a remote control, allowing you to trigger the shot from a distance and avoid being in the frame.

Step 4: Review the Photo

Once the photo is taken, you can review it on your phone or camera screen. Most 360 cameras such as the insta360 have editing apps that let you tweak the brightness, contrast, or even adjust the stitching if the images don’t align perfectly.

If you are curious about how 360 degree cameras work then check out this article on How Do 360 Cameras Work.

Best Practices for Shooting 360 Photos

Stabilize Your Camera: Always use a tripod or a stable surface to avoid camera shake.
Keep the Camera at Eye Level: For the most natural and immersive experience, keep your camera at the average viewer’s eye level.
Watch for Moving Objects: If something in the scene moves while you’re capturing a 360 photo, it can create strange, ghost-like effects in the final image.
Avoid Overexposed Areas: 360 panoramic images are more immersive, so lighting issues like blown-out windows or dark shadows are more noticeable. Try to shoot in evenly lit environments.

To expand your knowledge further check out our 10 Amazing tips to create better Panoramic pictures.

Editing and Publishing Your 360 Photo

Once you’ve taken your 360 photos, it’s time to polish them up before sharing.

Step 1: Edit Your Photo

Most 360 cameras and apps have built-in editing features. Use these to correct any stitching errors, adjust brightness and contrast, or apply filters to enhance the image.

Step 2: Publish Your 360 Photo

When you’re happy with your 360 photo, you can upload it to various platforms that support interactive viewing. Popular options include:

Facebook: Simply upload the photo, and Facebook will automatically convert it into an interactive 360 photo. Instagram also works great.
Google Street View: If you’re capturing public spaces, Street View is a great way to share your 360 photos with a wider audience.
Threesixty.tours: If you want to host an entire virtual tour, platforms like threesixty.tours let you upload multiple 360 photos and create interactive experiences. Threesixty.tours is quite user-friendly and very easy to use.

Conclusion

Now that you know how to make a 360 photo, it’s time to put your knowledge into action! Whether you’re using your smartphone or a professional 360 camera, creating immersive and interactive images has never been easier. If you’re looking to take your virtual tours to the next level, consider using a platform like threesixty.tours to host and share your 360-degree images in an engaging, customizable way.

Start creating today and captivate your audience with stunning 360-degree photos!