3D Photography Technology
works of Carl Pisaturo
Historical Context
Stereo photography is not new, it was tried soon after photography was invented.
The first sortof-practical photographs , made in 1839 by Daguerre in France, astounded all who saw them. Soon, photo studios were to be found throughout the world, and by 1851, a million "Daguerreotypes" had been made in the US alone. This same year, the first stereo viewers (left) were shown at the London Great Exhibition where Queen Victoria, and many others, were entranced with the 3-D views. By 1860, stereo cameras were smaller and easier to use (right) and stereo viewers much cheaper. The wide world came into the parlor.
Stereo photography is not new, it was tried soon after photography was invented.
The first sortof-practical photographs , made in 1839 by Daguerre in France, astounded all who saw them. Soon, photo studios were to be found throughout the world, and by 1851, a million "Daguerreotypes" had been made in the US alone. This same year, the first stereo viewers (left) were shown at the London Great Exhibition where Queen Victoria, and many others, were entranced with the 3-D views. By 1860, stereo cameras were smaller and easier to use (right) and stereo viewers much cheaper. The wide world came into the parlor.
What is STEREO PHOTOGRAPHY?
As diagramed below, Stereo Photography (aka 3D) is really a simple way of reproducing the way we normally see. We have 2 eyes that see the world from slightly different positions, and our brains use the subtle differences between these 2 views to create a sense of depth. If 2 cameras record 2 slides that are later viewed by our 2 eyes, it is the visual equivalent of being there. The technique is simple, it's your brain that does the real work.
As diagramed below, Stereo Photography (aka 3D) is really a simple way of reproducing the way we normally see. We have 2 eyes that see the world from slightly different positions, and our brains use the subtle differences between these 2 views to create a sense of depth. If 2 cameras record 2 slides that are later viewed by our 2 eyes, it is the visual equivalent of being there. The technique is simple, it's your brain that does the real work.
Viewing Stereo Content
Shooting Stereo Content
...Like Being There
Why Stereo Photography?
The human mind is nourished by visual experience, and the miracle that is photography allows a visual experiences to to saved, reproduced and moved. Photography extends the range of visual reality, in time and space, that a human mind can engage. If we accept that truth is desirable, then it follows that highest fidelity photography is a worthy pursuit - Stereo photography brings in the 3rd dimension and is an obvious step in the right direction. Carl Pisaturo has created innovative stereo cameras, stereo viewers, aligners, and techniques which do justice to this beautiful medium.
The human mind is nourished by visual experience, and the miracle that is photography allows a visual experiences to to saved, reproduced and moved. Photography extends the range of visual reality, in time and space, that a human mind can engage. If we accept that truth is desirable, then it follows that highest fidelity photography is a worthy pursuit - Stereo photography brings in the 3rd dimension and is an obvious step in the right direction. Carl Pisaturo has created innovative stereo cameras, stereo viewers, aligners, and techniques which do justice to this beautiful medium.
Between 1860 and 1920, most American and British homes had a viewer like the one shown at left and a collection of views like those shown at right. The image quality was quite good as these were actual photographs made from same size glass negatives. Subject matter was diverse : landscapes, foreign sites, war and even pornography.
In the 1920's and 30's, as half-toned photos became common in magazines and newspapers, stereo photography lost some of its specialness. And the advent of moving pictures certainly lead many stereo viewers to the attic.
In the 1920's and 30's, as half-toned photos became common in magazines and newspapers, stereo photography lost some of its specialness. And the advent of moving pictures certainly lead many stereo viewers to the attic.
The mass produced View Master used discs that held 7 color views each. The image quality was fair, limited by the tiny 3rd generation slides. By the 1960's, television and 8mm movie cameras limited serious interest in stereo.
GAF bought the View Master company and applied marketing genius to the products. Plastic lenses replaced glass, photographic skill dwindled, and content transitioned from travel and nature to TV tie-ins (e.g. Batman, The Banana Splits). Some views aren't even stereo, with 2 identical photos snuck in! If this was not sufficient to discredit stereo photography, Hollywood finished the job with a string of headache-inducing gimmick movies like Jaws 3-D.
GAF bought the View Master company and applied marketing genius to the products. Plastic lenses replaced glass, photographic skill dwindled, and content transitioned from travel and nature to TV tie-ins (e.g. Batman, The Banana Splits). Some views aren't even stereo, with 2 identical photos snuck in! If this was not sufficient to discredit stereo photography, Hollywood finished the job with a string of headache-inducing gimmick movies like Jaws 3-D.
Kodachrome, an excellent color slide film, was introduced in 1935 but only widely available after World War II. It energized all aspects of photography, including stereo. The Kodak "Realist" system (camera right, viewer left) was capable of very good quality and had a small but dedicated following in the 1950's.
Digital Stereo Photography Revolution?
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, 3D photography has a relatively small, but devoted following. Many afficianados and niche equipment companies exist. But, it's expensive and difficult to see good results. This can easily change.
We are well positioned technology-wise for a revolution in stereo photography. This will involve purpose-built digital cameras and LCD monitor viewing. The quality limiting factor of pixel count is fading fast: An LCD monitor with 2000 pixels across approaches real photographs & slides in fidelity. And the ability to pull up thousands of photo pairs off a hard drive or the web is a huge improvement over earlier paper or slide-based techniques.
As of 2008, due to lack of interest from Microsoft et al, things are cumbersome. Off-the-shelf high quality viewing requires 2 monitors and a precicesly aligned mirror rig. If lesser quality and some special equipment is acceptable, "frame flipping" and LCD shutter glasses can be used with a single monitor. Or (easy with standard computer equipment) 1/2-screen-width side by side images can be viewed with a special mirror splitting rig (right, Berezin) .
In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, 3D photography has a relatively small, but devoted following. Many afficianados and niche equipment companies exist. But, it's expensive and difficult to see good results. This can easily change.
We are well positioned technology-wise for a revolution in stereo photography. This will involve purpose-built digital cameras and LCD monitor viewing. The quality limiting factor of pixel count is fading fast: An LCD monitor with 2000 pixels across approaches real photographs & slides in fidelity. And the ability to pull up thousands of photo pairs off a hard drive or the web is a huge improvement over earlier paper or slide-based techniques.
As of 2008, due to lack of interest from Microsoft et al, things are cumbersome. Off-the-shelf high quality viewing requires 2 monitors and a precicesly aligned mirror rig. If lesser quality and some special equipment is acceptable, "frame flipping" and LCD shutter glasses can be used with a single monitor. Or (easy with standard computer equipment) 1/2-screen-width side by side images can be viewed with a special mirror splitting rig (right, Berezin) .
Since 1995, Carl has been involved with stereo photography and equipment with simple goals:
- Good Photography - Technically and Aesthetically
- Versatile, High Quality Cameras
- High Quality Viewing Devices