Stitching a map together

[purdyobvious]

Hello!

I need a little help stitching a map together. I've been using photoshop for a while now, but mostly just color correcting things, and some light UX design. Photo manipulation has never been my strong point.

Here is the issue: I took photos of 6 sections of a map which makes up the entire map to essentially raise the resolution of the map, touchup the creases and blemishes, and then print as a very large print to preserve the original map, and to have a digital copy for distribution. I can't figure out how to make the 6 individual photos of the map look like they are one big one. Help! I've attached a sample stitch and you can see how all the color is off and looks out of place.

Any help is much appreciated.

-Lewis

[WILDCAT54]

Unfortunately this is going to be a very time consuming process. There is no short cut or secrets on how to accomplish what you are wanting done. Basically every piece is going to need individual attention before they can be merged together. I recommend adjust color/tone of each piece to match each before you start the painstaking process of fixing the blemishes. Depending on time/budget, I would recommend hiring a professional.

[Norman Sanders]

Rather than attempt to salvage the current image file, I suggest you begin again. Set up an area (perhaps a wall) and using a light meter for accuracy, evenly illuminate the total map. After taking a reading for exposure, set your camera to manual. Since a single photograph of the entire map may not be possible, photograph in sections being certain to overlap each separate exposure. Be sure to level the camera before beginning so that the only variation will be the tripod elevation and the section being photographed. A longer than normal focal length lens is recommended. (Most definitely not a wide angle lens.) This approach is time consuming but far less so than the time and effort required to rescue the current file. Good luck.

[Randy Hufford]

Camera has to be shot in manual in exposure, focus and white balance. Even lighting is important. Overlap by at least 30%. We use Robin Myers equal light to help even out lighting. Robin Myers Imaging: EquaLight™  We use a copy wall that rolls which makes it easier to move painting in front of camera since camera being parallel to painting as you photograph different areas of map. Rolling copy wall R and R Copy Systems