360 Camera Techniques Virtual Tour Techniques

Are there TOO MANY virtual tour photographers? How to stand out with the Virtual Tour Edge: HQ Method (updated December 9, 2020)

Virtual Tour Edge: HQ Method - learn how to get excellent image quality for 360 cameras
Virtual Tour Edge: HQ Method – learn how to get excellent image quality for 360 cameras

Virtual tours have never been more popular.  Many photographers want to provide virtual tour services, and 360 cameras can make it easy to create virtual tours.  But how do you stand out from a crowded field of photographers offering similar services?  You can differentiate yourself through better image quality, in a class that I’m teaching called Virtual Tour Edge: HQ Method. December 9, 2020 UPDATE: new exclusive bonus and discount added (see below).

Here’s the introduction to the class:

Not only will you unleash the full potential of your 360 camera, but the techniques and software will be usable for your future 360 cameras as well.  It’s like getting a permanent upgrade for all your 360 cameras.

Samples

Here are some sample photos that show the results you can get from using the techniques in the class:

Insta360 One R Before and After HQ Method:

Here is an HDR photo from Insta360 One R, before and after HQ Method.

Insta360 One R 9-shot HDR (left) vs One R HQ Method (right)
Insta360 One R HDR (left) vs One R HQ Method (right).  Note the blown out window,  stitching error on the left side of the middle window, glare, lost detail, and washed out look, fixed with the HQ Method using the exact same photos.

Mi Sphere car interior with and without HQ Method:

Here is a sample of a car interior shot with the Xiaomi Mi Sphere.  Although the Mi Sphere is a thin camera with low parallax, the stitching errors around the window frame are quite noticeable because of the tight space.  With HQ Method, not only can you get better dynamic range, but you can also get much smoother stitching.

Mi Sphere before (left) and after (right) HQ Method
Mi Sphere before (left) and after (right) HQ Method

What people say about the course:

“I don’t know what to think about [Mic].  First, he created something like the Wikipedia of 360.  Now he became the Masked Magician of 360, revealing the secret sauce of professional photographers… More seriously, if you’re a total beginner or a more advanced user you’ll benefit from this course as well.  Where were you, Mic, when I started to create my tours?  I think that people, most of time, don’t realize the investment of time and money needed to test so many software and techniques.  This course covers each step, explaining in a clear way even how to workaround some limitations of 360 cameras.  Take your time to decide, but I think that some of your future competitors have already made their decision.”
– Michel Mendes (EZ Team), Portugal

“For the people that also have another 360-cam, besides the Xphase, I can highly recommend the new course of [Mic from 360 Rumors].  I am watching it at the moment and I – as a experienced 360 photographer – already learned new things like his method for better (seamless) stitching. In the course he addresses great editing software and techniques that don’t require a subscription. Photoshop for example isn’t required.  The course is worth every penny. Its a great way to distinguish from the competition and build a good business. Check it out.”
Christiaan Roest, Netherlands

“Not only will beginners learn a lot about photography, but he also shows the complete workflow to get the best result out of the One R (and One X) for 360 photos.  It’s amazing when you see the real potential of the Insta360 One R and how it improves the quality of your pictures/tours. Love it! . . .  It’s absolutely worth it. It’s a game-changer!”
Ramon Schmidt, USA

“Trust Michael.  I have just done his course and it works.”
Nigel Hancock (Ticmic360), UK

“Mic’s course had given so much that the course itself had saved me so much time in learning these techniques. . . . In each lesson he give few options that you can choose from to get final result. I, myself had bought Insta360 and I was not pleased with the [image quality]. After I saw Mic’s results I was amazed. Honestly, I can not wait for the next course from him that he provides how to master DSLR 360 photography. I highly recommend it.”
Erik Mojsej, Slovakia

These photographers have generously made themselves available to be contacted for questions but kindly be respectful of their time.  Here’s a review by award-winning 360 photographer, Yuqing Guo:

VTE Bonuses (updated December 9, 2020)

In addition to learning advanced techniques, you’ll receive these bonuses:

  • ongoing mentorship in a private Facebook group for VTE members
  • FREE upgrade to Virtual Tour Edge 2.0 (DSLR virtual tours).  Anyone who is a member of VTE HQ Method before VTE 2.0 launches will get access to VTE 2.0 for free!  It’s like getting two courses for the price of one!
  • 10% off Nodal Ninja and other products from Panosociety (official distributor for Nodal Ninja in EU).  They also ship to other countries.
  • 10% off Nodal Ninja and other products from Freedom360 (official distributor for Nodal Ninja in the U.S.).
  • Approx. 20 to 25% 3DVista discount (400USD instead of 499EUR)
  • 20% discount on Pano2VR or Pano2VR Lite
  • 25% off any Topaz Labs software
  • 50% discount on Teliport.me’s annual plan.  Teliport.me is a virtual tour website that supports high resolution 360 photos up to 512 megapixels.
  • 20% off Cupix. Cupix is a 3D virtual tour website that lets you use 360 photos to create 3D models automatically.
  • Special discount on Insta360 cameras, with no expiration (use it repeatedly now or in the future)
  • 15% off my recommended HDR software
  • New! $50 off Drone Launch Academy’s Part 107 commercial drone licensure class – they guarantee you’ll pass or get your money back.
  • 20% off Ben Claremont’s Virtual Tour Pro course
  • $100 off Cloudpano’s lifetime hosting plan
  • 10% off Kuula’s annual plan
  • some additional techniques to be added at no extra cost to existing members.

How to enroll in the class; how to watch the videos

To enroll in the class, go to 360rumors.thinkific.com.  After you enroll, you can watch the lessons from any browser with an Internet connection, whether on desktop or mobile.  You can watch the videos as many times as you want.  There are no annual fees or monthly fees.  You can post questions in the comments to the videos.  Alternatively, you can also join the Facebook group for members to discuss techniques.

FAQ

  1. How much is the course?
    It is currently $197 one-time payment, or if you prefer monthly installments, $50 per month for 4 months.  In the future, I will add some additional techniques and the price may increase, but existing subscribers will not pay anything for the additional techniques for this course (360 cameras).
  2. How long are the videos?
    As of July 15, 2020, there are around 4.5 hours of video lessons.  I will also be adding more techniques.  Existing subscribers will not pay anything extra for the added techniques for 360 cameras.  But please understand that the additional techniques that are substantially different are not included.
  3. Do you have a guarantee?
    Yes, I have a 60-day Effectiveness Guarantee. I guarantee that the techniques will work (please check the compatibility chart) if you use the software and follow the instructions.
    If you are having problems with the techniques, then contact me within 60 days and send me your files that show how you used the technique.  Alternatively, we can do a zoom or similar session (no extra charge) where I can walk you through the process.  I can point out if there are any mistakes in how you used the techniques, but if the techniques still don’t work, you can get a refund in the 60-day period from the date you purchased the class.
    This guarantee is more solid than a typical satisfaction guarantee.  With a typical satisfaction guarantee, you might choose not to get a refund for other reasons, even if the techniques don’t work.  In this case, I’m doing more than that: I’m specifically guaranteeing that the techniques WILL work.  As of March 2022, my guarantee has been 100% effective for hundreds of students.
  4. I can’t afford it.  It’s too expensive for me!  Can you lower the price for the class?
    With just a single virtual tour, you will recover the cost of the course immediately, and the techniques will benefit you for your entire career.  Moreover, even if you never do virtual tours, you’ll learn to use software that requires no subscription.  If all you get from the class is not having to use expensive subscription software, that alone will pay for the class.
    Also see the list of member bonuses – for example, if you plan to buy 3DVista, the member discount by itself already pays for the class, so it’s like getting the VTE course for free.
    Another way to think about it is to compare the cost to hiring a professional 360 photographer to teach you their secrets.  The first issue is that not all of them know these techniques.  Second, even if they do know the techniques, they may not be willing to teach them to you.  Third, even if they are willing, it will take a long time for them to teach you the techniques – in the most optimistic scenario, at least two days of intense instruction.  Fourth, given that they will take many hours to teach it to you, how much would they charge you?  They will have to charge you much more than the cost of this course.
    Finally, check out the monthly plan, which is $50 per month for 4 months.  Please note that the class requires the use of software that costs around $450 (if you don’t already have them).  If you cannot afford the monthly option, the software may likely exceed your budget as well.
  5. Do you have an affiliate link?  Can I become an affiliate?
    Yes I do!  If you want to become an affiliate, sign up as a user on 360rumors.thinkific.com and send me a message, then I’ll add you as an affiliate.  As an affiliate, you can not only recoup your investment in the course, but you can actually earn income, while also helping other people learn valuable techniques.
  6. Will the HQ Method work with my camera?
    Please see the compatibility chart here.  If your camera is not listed, please let me know which camera you use, and I’ll let you know if the techniques work for your particular camera.
  7. Will the HQ Method work for DSLR panoramas?
    I am working on a separate class for DSLR, will be available at no additional cost to existing VTE HQ Method members.  Here is a preview of VTE 2.0.  Anyone who is a member of Virtual Tour Edge before VTE 2.0 launches will gain access to VTE 2.0 for free.  In fact, the stitching techniques in the HQ Method such as getting seamless stitching and fixing stitching errors lay a foundation for learning to use a DSLR and can be used for DSLR panoramas as well.
  8. Will the HQ Method work for videos?
    No, as stated in the compatibility chart, the HQ Method techniques are only for photos.
  9. You mention software.  How much are the software for the HQ Method? (Updated)
    As of July 2020, there are 3 software, which are around $450 total.  The software are one-time purchases, no subscription required.  One of the software is PTGui Pro v12, which is around $300.  It is possible to use PTGui (non-Pro) version but some features such as batch stitching and masking will not be available.
    If you are not ready to use PTGui yet, you can use the techniques in Part 1 (dynamic range) and Part 4 (editing), but not Parts 2 and 3 (which are about getting perfect stitching).  Please note that some cameras such as XPhase cannot use most of the techniques in Parts 2 and 3 and therefore can omit the purchase of PTGui.  For these students, only the other two software would be required.
  10. The software seems expensive.
    As with the course, you can get back the software cost with just a couple of virtual tours.  All the software will be usable for DSLR panoramas as well, and they don’t have a subscription.  PTGui in particular is a must-have for DSLR panoramas, so if you upgrade to a DSLR in the future you will continue to use it.
    Once you buy these software, you own them forever.  And for the things that you can do with them, the prices are very, very reasonable, and they will save you a lot of time.
  11. Is the class basically just about buying certain software?
    No.  Even if you have the software, you won’t get these results without using the techniques the course.  It’s similar to buying a piano.  Just because you buy one does not mean that you will know how to play music.
    If you are already an experienced user of the software, then see the results I showed.  Can you get those results?  If not, then you have something to learn from the course.
    If you can already achieve those results I showed, then you don’t need the course.  (If you still take the course even if you can achieve the results, then you’re filling some other need, and that’s the value you’re getting from the class, such as expanding your repertoire of techniques.)
  12. Will I need to know how to use the software?
    No, I assume no prior knowledge and I will show how to use each software as if you’ve never used it before.
  13. I already have an Adobe subscription.  Can I use Photoshop or Lightroom? (NEW)
    Photoshop or Lightroom can be used for some of the techniques in Part 4, such as fixing stitching errors.  I will add Photoshop and Lightroom tutorials for the techniques where Photoshop and Lightroom can be used.
    If you prefer Photoshop and/or Lightroom, you can save $50 but the other two software will still be required (if you don’t have them already).  That’s because for HDR and stitching, Photoshop’s results are nowhere as good as the software we will use here.  Moreover, for photo editing, Photoshop is powerful but its 360 photo editing is a bit awkward.  Another issue with Photoshop is that if you use 16-bit photos and convert them to 360 view, the colors will become wrong (they will appear very dark).
  14. Do I need to be an expert to use the techniques?
    No. You don’t need special skills.  Just follow the instructions.
  15. Will the techniques be too hard to do?
    No, I give very clear, step-by-step instructions.  I don’t just say “keep practicing.”  I give clear instructions that will work if you follow them.
    I also explain the techniques clearly, and why they work, which opens the possibility for you to modify the techniques.  For example, if you watch my VR headset buying guide video, I give an in-depth explanation of how and why VR works.  AFAIK, no other VR headset review has explained how and why VR works at that depth and with that clarity.  (If you watch my videos, I hope you’ll notice that this is generally true for most of my videos as well.)
    Similarly, in this course, I don’t just show you how to use the software superficially.  I explain them in-depth and show you how to use them clearly.
  16. Can I hire someone to do the editing for me and I’ll teach them the techniques?
    When you purchase the course, it is only for you.  You are not allowed to share the techniques or teach them to anyone.  You can either (i) have your editor enroll in the course, or (ii) hire a Virtual Tour Edge member to edit for you.
  17. Can’t I learn this on YouTube for free?
    First, the videos here are all new.  They are not recycled from my YouTube channel.  Second, the techniques in this class are not a rehash of common techniques.  I’ve written over 2500 articles on 360 cameras and VR and I haven’t seen these techniques taught.
    But the most important thing is the results.  After watching all the YouTube videos that you want, can you get the results that I showed?  If not, then you have something to learn from the course.
    If you can already achieve those results I showed, then you don’t need the course.   If you still take the course even if you can achieve the results, then you’re filling some other need, and that’s the value you’re getting from the class.
  18. I already enrolled in another class that also teaches photo editing.  Will you be teaching the same things?
    After taking another class, can you get the results that I showed?  If not, then you have something to learn from the course.
    If you can already achieve those results I showed, then you don’t need the course.   If you still take the course even if you can achieve the results, then you’re filling some other need, and that’s the value you’re getting from the class.
  19. Will I make money from virtual tours?
    If you go to the best medical school, with the best teachers, best equipment, state of the art technique, will you be a successful doctor? Probably yes because you can probably do the job better.  Will the best medical school guarantee that you’ll make money? No. First, making money depends on other factors, such as diligence. Second, they don’t want to make a promise that they can’t keep and neither do I.
    What I can promise is that you can take better photos, and do it efficiently. Will you have an edge over other photographers? Yes. Will you make money? You will have a much better chance of doing that, and this is a unique time that presents the best opportunity to provide this service.
    I only promise what I can deliver.  I don’t mislead people.
  20. I’m a bit scared of starting a business.
    I can totally relate, because not all businesses succeed and there is some risk involved. Did you know 360 Rumors is not my first blog?  Actually, my first blog was begun in 2009, and it was called Better Family Photos.  I created it as a hobby and a way for me to keep notes about what I learned.  After around 7 years of hard work, I reached 1 million views.  In 2015, I learned about 360 cameras and after about a year, I created 360 Rumors in 2016.
    When I started 360 Rumors, there were some cameras such as the LG 360 Cam  that I was thinking about buying but which I knew I could not earn sufficient affiliate commissions to recoup my cost.
    I had to decide for myself, is 360 Rumors a hobby or a business?  And if it is a business, what would customers fairly expect from me?  Wouldn’t they expect to see a review of this camera from a 360 camera review site?  And so I bought the camera.  Since I began treating 360 Rumors as a business, and making decisions based on what my audience reasonably expects from a business, the number of views increased rapidly.  In less than a year, I exceeded all the traffic that I had gotten in 7 years from my first blog, which would not have been possible if I had only treated it the same way I treated my first blog – as a hobby.
    Fortunately, a virtual tour business is relatively low risk compared to other types of businesses.  You do have to invest in camera, software, and hopefully, this course as well.  But you don’t have to sign an expensive lease that will cost you money every month.  You can start without employees other than yourself.  The investment required is fairly small, which limits the risk compared to other small businesses.

If you have any other questions, please let me know in the comments.  Thank you very much.

About the author

Mic Ty

19 Comments

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  • I wish we had a more modern camera as thin as the Mi Sphere. It would help with tight spaces, especially for beginners and amateurs. Your Tesla interior looks great! I don’t shoot real estates, only travel, events (after lockdown is over) and happy shots.

    • Thanks cppguy! Yes I had hoped that they would create a Mi Sphere 2. The closest thing to that would be the Z1. But even a thin camera like the Mi Sphere will have stitching errors in a tight space such as a car interior, hence the HQ Method.

  • Hi Mic, I’ve been following 360 Rumours for a while now, and am interested in your HG course. I run a 360 visual content solution business, virtual tours, drone work, photography, and am Google Trusted, blah blah. I use a Z1, along with the great DFE plugin on hdr-dng. I edit in LR, then stitch within LR using the Theta stitcher, export and run through Topaz.

    I am wondering if the course will help create a much higher quality with my Z1. The images are looking pretty good at present, but always interested to learn a new method that may make them wow factor.

    I use GoThru, and (Matterport for estate agency only) I’m looking to add 3D Vista to open up varied tours that I can offer to clients, along with GoThru. Especially after watching your interview with Nick Powell.

    I’d like to know your thoughts please.

    My latest tours using the DFE plugin are not yet on the website.

    • Thanks 360 Visual Media. In your case, the main benefit will be with stitching. If for example, you are shooting in tight spaces, you might find errors even with the Z1’s excellent stitching. The HQ Method can help with that. In any case, I’m working on updated version of the course that will include new techniques DSLR 360 photos. You would see a bigger improvement with that. It will be available at no extra cost to existing members.
      Best regards,
      Mic

    • Hey there Maroonweddingprashant. Yes I am adding DSLR training to the Virtual Tour Edge class. It will cover everything about using DSLRs for 360 photos: including choosing camera, lens, panoramic head, setting up, basic and advanced shooting techniques, stitching and editing techniques, and more. I’ve already shot the tutorial videos and I just need to edit them. The DSLR course will be free to existing VTE members. I will have samples closer to the launch, which I am aiming for end of Sept.

      Best regards,
      Mic

  • Hi Mic! I own an older version of Pt Gui, v 10. Will the HQ method work with this version, or I have to acquire the latest version?

    • Hi K360. You can use PTGui v10 but the templates I created were made with v12, so you’ll have to create your own templates (the tutorial shows you how).

      Best regards,
      Mic

  • Mic, I want to ask…if I did not have PTGUI can VT Edge is still suitable for me? I only have 3dvista, topaz labs, and photoshop only..

    • Hi Nizar. If you don’t have PTGui, you would be missing out on the biggest part of VTE which is how to get perfect stitching. Other stitching software cannot be used because they don’t have the features of PTGui.

  • Sounds like a great course. Well worth taking.
    Sadly, I’ve already bought 3DVista, Topaz and Pano2VR products. I don’t suppose there’s a retroactive discount I could get for those products for taking your course? Hope, hope!
    I don’t own PTGui, which is a central product in your course and doesn’t come with a course discount. Sounds like I’d need to buy the Pro version which is $304. Darn it. Any chance there’s a discount in the works from taking your course for PTGui Pro? Hope, Hope, again. Maybe if I say Mic sent me? 🙂

    • Thanks James! PTGui’s developer doesn’t give discounts for any occasion, even Black Friday. But there’s a special launch period bundle right now where you can get both HQ Method and VTE 2 for a total of $197. And if you email me at mic at 360rumors dot com, I can give you an extra discount for the course!