About Michael

Michael James Murray – Panoramic Photography Artist

Michael James Murray is a pioneering artist specializing in 360-degree panoramic photography, particularly in stereographic projection. His work offers a unique, immersive perspective, transforming landscapes and architectural icons into spherical compositions that captivate and intrigue. Murray has lived in Maine for nearly a decade, and his extensive collection includes iconic locations across the United States and Europe, as well as a deep focus on the natural beauty of New England. His portfolio spans images of Maine and New England lighthouses, the Maine coast, and other scenic regions of the Northeast, as well as scenes from Martha’s Vineyard, Block Island, the South Shore of Massachusetts, and Cape Cod. Through his photography, Murray reimagines familiar scenes in mesmerizing and surreal ways, offering viewers a fresh perspective on both natural and urban environments.

In 2016, Murray's limited edition handmade book, Worlds Apart, was published by 21st Editions, a milestone in his career that exemplifies his commitment to pushing the boundaries of panoramic photography. His work is part of the permanent collections at prestigious institutions such as the National Gallery of Art, Baylor College, The Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library at Columbia University, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Boston Atheneum, and the University of Minnesota. In addition, Murray's work is held in private collections around the world, further establishing his global reach and artistic influence.

Artistic Process
Murray’s 360-degree panoramic photography begins with meticulous location scouting and planning, focusing on lighting conditions and the natural harmony of each space. Each image is composed of at least 30 individual photographs, captured with precision using an indexing mount on a tripod to ensure consistent alignment and overlap.

When setting up his camera, Murray makes it a point to immerse himself fully in the environment, seeking the perfect spot where all elements of the 360-degree space are in balance. This careful attention to composition ensures that every detail in the scene plays off the others in an engaging and harmonious way.

For aerial panoramas, Murray uses a drone, capturing even more images to create the full 360-degree view. While there is no specialized camera mount for drone shots, the process remains just as meticulous, with careful attention to alignment and exposure.

Shooting in RAW format, Murray initially focuses on achieving consistent exposures and ensuring sharp focus. He then uses specialized stitching software to assemble the individual images into a seamless 360-degree panorama. Final refinement, including color grading and fine adjustments, is completed in Photoshop, where his artistic vision truly comes to life.