Michael Light’s prints knock me out and these panoramas do too.

Apparently the Hasselblad is still up there.

I love looking at panoramic images. That long rectangle can give so much more contextual information than a stubby little rectangle or square. Older panoramics can really give a feel for a location, and as your eye scans the scene, you can imagine being there. This Okuni Kabuki Screen is a wonderful example.

Early photographers were quick to appreciate the technique. There are many, many examples that help us go back in time. The flat topography of the US’ midwest lends itself well to long panoramics. Here is a great shot of our great city, Chicago in 1907. Here is Waukegan, IL in 1908. My favorite midwest panoramic images are by Art Sinsabaugh.

Digital techniques have allowed photographers to experiment with more variations. Michael McGuire has a stunningly beautiful series on Chicago. You might not recognize Chicago in the images. Rather, McGuire’s depopulated city scapes inspired me to meditate on cities in general and what it’s like to live in the forced geometry and straight lines we have created for ourselves.

Michael Awad’s undulating, curvy panoramics could not be more different than McGuire’s. They vibrate with the busy movement of urban environments alive with commerce and art. I can’t think of a better photographer to capture the spirit of Henry Moore in a photograph.

If McGuire and Awad are too gimmicky for your tastes, and their artistic vision gets in the way of experiencing the subject matter, well look no further than Eric Jervaise. Take your time with these images. Let your eye scroll across the field of view. This is photography at it’s best.