Have you ever wondered what a virtual tour was? You may have noticed this new technology in the field of photography. It is actually a panoramic tour of a certain location that usually consists of 360 degree views. Virtual tours can also display video images or photographs that have hyperlinks, and some tours may even have additional features such as sound effects, text, or narration. These additional multimedia features give the viewer a more interactive experience and helps them feel physically present as they are watching the tour from their computer.

So how was the virtual tour discovered, and what were its applications? It was designed and first put to use in 1994 by a British engineer named Colin Johnson. In June of that year, Queen Elizabeth II used a virtual tour in the opening of the visitor centre. The name ‘virtual tour’ came to be because the Queen’s officials described this new technology as a medium between virtual reality, and a royal tour. Virtual tours have indeed changed the way photography and images are shown today.

A typical virtual tour lets you see the desired location in a complete 360 degree view. There are a few companies out there that utilize the latest virtual tour technology, including a zoom in and out feature, the ability to click on points of interest to further explore the area, and the ability to incorporate video into the virtual tour. Due to the wide and popular use of photos and videos on the internet, it is important to take advantage of this unique form of visual media.

The equipment used in this kind of endeavor are video cameras and SLR digital cameras. High-quality videos and photographs are then incorporated and edited to be turned into a virtual tour. Who does this? Professional photographers and computer programmers both work hand-in-hand to create a virtual tour.

The photographers are the ones who capture the images and videos. The computer programmers are in charge of using or making the computer software to display the virtual tours on the internet for web-browsing purposes. This is often difficult but if you want to learn, you can try to seek the help of a professional. If you are interested in getting started I would suggest searching for a message board where panoramic photographers congregate. Mastering panoramic photography and virtual tour production is a long and difficult process.

Virtual Tours are a great tool that can be utilized for a wide variety of purposes. Traditionally virtual tours have been utilized only in real estate applications and more recently have been seen in hotels, resorts and tourist attractions. The use of virtual tours will continue to grow as industries take advantage of this powerful tool. One of the companies heading up the latest in virtual tour technology is Regal 360.