An Introduction to Stereoscopic (3D) Photography, and the Stereoscopy Blog – By Rebecca (from Stereoscopy Blog)

By Stereoscopy Blog

I started the Stereoscopy Blog back in May 2019 after I was frequently contacted by people who wanted to get involved in stereoscopy but didn’t know where to start. There were already a few websites and clubs, but they seemed to go straight from zero to overly technical and expected immediate perfection, even before you’d worked out how to pronounce stereoscopy. They also usually focused on just one particular aspect, when in reality stereoscopy is multifaceted; it can be entertaining, artistic, educational and, above all, enjoyable. It also has several different applications.

I guess many readers might be asking what this lass is harping on about with stereoscopy; I understand it’s quite a niche area of photography, so please let me explain.

A Sputnik 120 stereo camera
Sputnik 120 stereo camera

What is Stereoscopy?

Stereoscopy, or stereoscopic 3D, creates the illusion of depth from two flat images photographed, or drawn, from two slightly different angles, roughly correlating to the human eyes. As each perspective is presented to each eye separately the brain interprets the two, fuses them, and one three-dimensional image is formed. These images can be seen in 3D either by ‘free-viewing’ or using devices, such as anaglyph filters and glasses, polarising 3D TVs and glasses, or a stereoscope. Stereoscopy mimics what the human eyes and brain are doing during every waking moment. The pair of images below, for example, will appear in 3D when viewed with a stereoscope, or if you can learn how to ‘free-view’ with the naked eye.

Stereoscopic still life taken with a 120 Sputnik stereo camera
Stereoscopic still life taken with a 120 Sputnik stereo camera

A Very Brief History of Stereoscopy and its Application to Photography

Stereoscopy was invented in 1832, before photography, but its application to photography turned it into a powerful instrument. It allowed people to experience parts of the world where they had never set foot before as if they were standing in the moment the shutter(s) had captured. They could see all the beautiful details, depth, and textures of architecture, which may no longer have existed. They felt as if they could reach out and touch royalty, celebrities, strangers, or friends and family alike. They could virtually attend events and exhibitions which they weren’t able to travel to or had long since closed their doors. It was used as a teaching aid, showing 3D anatomy to countless students. It brought theatricals and famous paintings to life in people’s own homes. Later, it also documented the many tragedies of war, giving an intense experience of the realities, whilst also allowing aerial identification of structures in the topography. We are still able to step into all of these moments today and feel as if we are in a time machine, thanks to stereoscopic images being the first commercial mass-production of photography. We are also still able to harness this technology, using even basic equipment, to continue to capture the world around us in 3D.

Stereo Realist 2.8 35mm stereo camera
Stereo Realist 2.8 35mm stereo camera

The pioneering stereoscopic photographers used a single-lens camera and made two long exposures of the same scene, moving the camera laterally between shots for the left-eye and right-eye perspectives. Later came binocular stereo cameras, enabling the capture of ‘instantaneous moments’ in 3D. Exposure times shortened as photography advanced over the years, equipment and kits became more readily available and affordable, and eventually, more amateur photographers started to get involved.

The introduction of Kodachrome film really began an explosion of amateur and popular stereoscopic photography, particularly with the introduction of the affordable Stereo Realist and similar stereo cameras in the late 1940s – early 1950s. Kodachrome also gave us the View-Master reels and viewers, which remained popular for many decades afterwards, bringing stereoscopy back into countless homes. It was thanks to one of these amazing little devices that my own interest in stereoscopy was sparked in my childhood. Ultimately, it sent my nerdiness off the scale a few years later when I threw myself headfirst into the different aspects of stereoscopy.

View-Master 3D reel viewer
View-Master 3D reel viewer

Stereo film cameras’ popularity began to decline in the 1970s, but then along came the quadrascopic cameras, the Nimslo and the Nishika. They made lenticular printing accessible to the public, although they didn’t achieve the success of their twin-lens relatives, and the printing service was eventually discontinued. The digital photography revolution also happened, but compact digital stereo cameras didn’t arrive on the scene until around 2010, with only two manufacturers making them readily available. Coupled with 3D TVs, which were still produced at the time, the Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D cameras were very popular, even beyond their manufacturer’s expectations, but were discontinued relatively soon afterwards.

3D ghosts made using a Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3 digital stereo camera, multiple exposures and Photoshop
3D ghosts made using a Fujifilm FinePix Real 3D W3 digital stereo camera, multiple exposures and Photoshop

Stereoscopy has also been used in the cinema, with one of the pinnacle popular moments being the release of Avatar in 3D. 3D Blu-rays, which were popular, are currently in steep decline as 3D TVs have since been discontinued, and relatively few films are released in 3D now. It has also been used in VR, especially for gaming and design, and its principles are used in social media, such as for Facebook’s 3D photos option. This still gives a need and use for the inclusion of related technology in smartphones, such as the iPhone’s Lidar sensor, or other scanning apps; this technology also has other applications outside of social media, especially for architecture and design. Smartphones themselves have apps available to help anyone create their own stereoscopic images without specialist technology, which is usually by taking sequential photos, like the pioneering stereo photographers.

Glastonbury Abbey, taken with a single lens digital camera
Glastonbury Abbey, taken with a single lens digital camera

Throughout the history of stereoscopy and stereoscopic photography though, you will see there is a pattern of peaks and troughs of popularity; there’s a sudden craze as something new comes along, but then a decline, and eventually discontinuation. There are, however, still exciting projects which crop up using the principles of stereoscopy, such as glasses-free displays, including light-field ‘holographic’ technology. Currently, there’s a Kickstarter campaign to create a new stereoscopic compact digital camera, and time will tell if it takes off like its predecessors.

There have always been dedicated individuals in the background of the popular crazes who have kept stereoscopic photography alive and brought it to new audiences. They often find their own custom ways of overcoming the obsolescence of once-popular technology, usually by reusing old equipment and methods and mixing it with modern technology.

Finding Your Own Enjoyment in Stereoscopy

My personal enjoyments in stereoscopy include its ability to bring history to life and add so much more information and immersion than mono photography. I also really enjoy using it with my own photography, particularly film photography, bringing modern moments to life and being able to share them in 3D with others. It feels like a magical reward when you’ve spent the time to take the photos, process the films and finally see the results in 3D. Digital stereo photography is relatively convenient and quick, but I find that seeing film slides through a 3D viewer is a really different experience and worth all the extra effort.

Everyone has their own preferences for which elements of stereoscopy they enjoy, and how. Remember that it’s not just a one-dimensional hobby (pun intended), and if you check out the Blog you’ll see there is more to it than meets the eyes (another pun intended, sorry).

Belplasca 35mm stereo camera
Belplasca 35mm stereo camera
Still life taken with a Belplasca stereo camera
Still life taken with a Belplasca stereo camera

Why Isn’t Everything Photographed in 3D and Where Do I Start?

You’re probably wondering if stereoscopic photography is so amazing, then why isn’t everyone still doing it? I have already mentioned the difficulties with the availability of technology, as it’s usually discontinued after a while. I also have to be honest with you and say, especially with film, it’s time-consuming, and, in this fast-paced world, not too many people want to spend the extra time, or cost, to reap the 3D rewards. Digital stereo photography can take seconds using a smartphone, an app, and a viewer if necessary. If you then want to share the images, you have to start considering things like: Which format is best for others? Which devices can show the images in 3D? Which apps can be used to align the images? Can you still buy a twin-lens digital camera?

Red-cyan anaglyph of ivy, taken with a smartphone and processed with an app
Red-cyan anaglyph of ivy, taken with a smartphone and processed with an app

Stereoscopic film photography can be even more complicated. The cameras are usually second-hand, so you’re often at the mercy of the likes of eBay sellers saying they are fully working (which I’m sure many of you are aware of with second-hand mono cameras). The cost of slide film and processing it now makes your eyes water. And once all that is out of the way, then you have to work out how you’re going to mount it to make it into a stereo slide. Where do you find the mounts? How do you mount the film? What do you view it with? Can you use negative film instead? What camera should you look out for? Can you use a single-lens camera? What are the frame formats like? Will a lab process it for you? Can you scan it and make digital stereoviews?

Slide film, taken with an Iloca Stereograms 35mm stereo camera
Slide film, taken with an Iloca Stereograms 35mm stereo camera
Making 35mm stereo slides
Making 35mm stereo slides

Introduction to the Stereoscopy Blog

Fear not. I really want to encourage everyone to join in and make stereoscopy as accessible as possible. That’s one of the main aims of the Stereoscopy Blog, which is a free resource open to everyone, and another reason why I started it. On the Blog, you will find several general posts about stereo photography, such as how to view stereoscopic images, how to use the free software StereoPhoto Maker, upcoming events and workshops. Posts about film photography, including how to get started, film camera reviews, others experiences with stereo film photography. You can also find posts about digital stereo photography and processing, such as how to make stereoviews with your smartphone, examples of twin digital camera rigs, how to make stereoviews using Photoshop, how to make Wigglegrams with Photoshop.

Different film frame formats, from different stereoscopic cameras
Different film frame formats, from different stereoscopic cameras

Everyone has their own preference for how they want to learn about the different aspects of stereoscopy which appeal to them. The Blog aims to give everyone the breathing space to pick things up at their own pace, in their own time, at the level they want, whilst demystifying the voodoo that is stereoscopy. You can be as involved and technical as you want to be with stereoscopic photography. I want to encourage total beginners, as well as those who have stereo-cameras collecting dust to pick them back up and get involved. I also want to show other everyday stereo photographers that they’re not on their own, we’re a relatively small but thriving community. We also have A LOT of 3D kitties to draw you in.

Wigglegram made using a Nishika N8000 quadrascopic camera, colour negative film and Photoshop
Wigglegram made using a Nishika N8000 quadrascopic camera, colour negative film and Photoshop. Wigglegrams gives the opportunity for stereo-blind people to be able to perceive the depth. It can be used with 2 or more frames from digital or analogue images.

Although I’m very fortunate to work full-time in the world of stereoscopy, I still consider myself an enthusiastic amateur stereo photographer, but I will always help everyone as much as I can. I also have a great network of friends with lots of experience and knowledge to who I can refer people when needed. I really want to help inspire everyone to join in and if there’s anything you’re unsure about and need further advice, or want to request a post about something, you can always contact the Blog.

I hope you’ll be immersed in the enjoyment of stereoscopic 3D photography soon!

Rebecca
www.stereoscopy.blog

The Stereoscopy Blog
The Stereoscopy Blog

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By Stereoscopy Blog
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Comments

Bill Thomson on An Introduction to Stereoscopic (3D) Photography, and the Stereoscopy Blog – By Rebecca (from Stereoscopy Blog)

Comment posted: 31/07/2023

Hi. Just come across this. I’ve been taking 3D for a few years now (although experimented with displacement photos in my teens in the 60s, inspired by viewmaster and an early 3D cowboy movie! ). I use two Nikon Coolpix cameras In an aluminium frame and can operate both shutters fairly simultaneously. I view on my computer screen with a simple Loreo 3D viewer - better than the OWL viewer in my opinion. Starting to print out 3D pairs. However I am looking at trimming the rectangle views to a square format, for a Victorian viewer. One point is I have several books by Brian May, and I noticed that a lot of the images seem to have been cropped so that on the right hand image there is less subject matter at the right hand edge of the image than on the left hand image? Is this a recognised technique to reduce distortion at the edges when viewed in stereo?
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Stereoscopy Blog replied:

Comment posted: 31/07/2023

Hello Bill, The cropping you're noticing is to do with keeping the image 'in the stereo window', and there's a tutorial on the blog about this which you might find useful. You'll notice in the books that the Victorian images weren't always so careful about it. Kind regards, Rebecca

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Ross on An Introduction to Stereoscopic (3D) Photography, and the Stereoscopy Blog – By Rebecca (from Stereoscopy Blog)

Comment posted: 02/08/2022

Thanks for the article, brought me up to speed on the history of stereoscopy. Have been creating scenes in VR and capturing as stereoscopic videos - the videos can then be replayed in VR as a "3D" movie in a virtual cinema. Will check out your blog, keen to know other techniques, cheers.
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Stereoscopy Blog replied:

Comment posted: 02/08/2022

That sounds exciting Ross, especially as Apple are getting involved in capturing 3-D films with the iPhone 15 Pros now with their 'Spatial Video'!

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Top 10 3d Photo Camera Answers | ALL-TECH-STORE on An Introduction to Stereoscopic (3D) Photography, and the Stereoscopy Blog – By Rebecca (from Stereoscopy Blog)

Comment posted: 24/06/2022

[…] (33)An Introduction to Stereoscopic (3D) Photography … – 35mmc […]
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William Hamblen on An Introduction to Stereoscopic (3D) Photography, and the Stereoscopy Blog – By Rebecca (from Stereoscopy Blog)

Comment posted: 05/03/2022

One thing about stereo photography is that about 4% of the population are unable to perceive depth. I'm one of them. I've collected several stereo cameras, I've made stereo slides, and I've shown them to others, but I cannot see the 3D illusion myself. Stereo cameras are interesting and they do attract comment.
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Stereoscopy Blog replied:

Comment posted: 05/03/2022

Yeah, some estimate that the percentage of stereo-blind people is even higher. I was very fortunate to be at a virtual conference with Dr. Susan Barry who has written a fantastic book about it. She, quite amazingly, managed to see in 3-D again in midlife after being stereo blind. The way she describes it as a rare person who has experienced both, really makes you understand and appreciate it. I make sure to include Wigglegrams in stereoscopy as I know it's a way of presenting the 'depth' in a way that stereo blind people might be able to perceive. I do get shot down for it though by people who aren't stereo blind as it's not 'true' stereoscopy to them. That's amazing that you've still made stereo slides, and yes, the cameras definitely bring comment! It's usually either fond memories, or complete wonderment at the weird-looking camera!

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Bill Thoo on An Introduction to Stereoscopic (3D) Photography, and the Stereoscopy Blog – By Rebecca (from Stereoscopy Blog)

Comment posted: 05/03/2022

Lovely article Rebecca. I found the blog recently after a recommendation from Ida from Twitter after recently receiving the Minuta and then chasing down a Sputnik. I must say although it’s early days I’m kind of hooked. The article on composition was very helpful. Can’t wait to see and do more.
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Stereoscopy Blog replied:

Comment posted: 05/03/2022

Thank you so much Bill. I've got a Minuta myself and am waiting for some nice weather to take it for a proper outing. The Sputnik, despite not having the best build quality, is definitely one of my favourite stereo cameras. I think the lenses are great (when in the same focus!) and I love the 120 stereo format. I'm pleased to say I'm not hooked at all. OK that's a lie. I can't wait to see what you photograph in 3-D. If I can help with anything, please just say :)

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D Evan Bedford on An Introduction to Stereoscopic (3D) Photography, and the Stereoscopy Blog – By Rebecca (from Stereoscopy Blog)

Comment posted: 03/03/2022

Thanks for this. I'll now have your blog on my favorites. Like you, I also get to use stereophotos at work on a daily basis. I deal with surface drainage for a rural county, and we have aerial stereophotos of our entire county going back to 1966. Analyzing topography is critical to what I do, and with our later flight years, we have very detailed digital files that I use to create anaglyphs with. A single 15mb image shows about 5 square miles, but I can zoom in and discern something in 3D that's only about a foot square. It's an amazing tool.

Then, for my personal pleasure, I like to go out to the mountains with a Nikon F6 and a zoom lens and take photos using the cha-cha method, but instead of 2 images taken only a foot apart, I'll take two photos of a distant mountain scene perhaps 20m or 50m apart. I then use stereophotomaker software to align the photos, print them on 4x6 paper and view them under a mirrored stereoscope. The effect is like looking at a diorama that has incredible detail.

I also use a Fuji W3 on holidays, but I prefer the effect of the wide parallax images. It looks like I can reach out and touch a mountain or the far side of a valley with my finger.
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Stereoscopy Blog replied:

Comment posted: 03/03/2022

This is fantastic, I wasn't aware it was being applied to surface drainage, but it makes total sense. Stereo photos from aircraft were used for analysing topography in WW2, even uncovering rockets. I really enjoy learning about how stereoscopy is being applied in different ways. I'd really like to see your own stereo photos if you don't mind the intrusion? The quality of the images sounds fantastic. Are you using an old military mirrored stereoscope or a self-made one? I also like the W3 and other stereo cameras for instantaneous snaps, but absolutely prefer hyper-stereos, especially for distant shots where a fixed lens separation doesn't cut it in 3-D.

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D Evan Bedford replied:

Comment posted: 03/03/2022

I mis-spoke on the anaglyphs. They're not 5 square miles each, but 5 quarter-sections each (ie, 1.25 square miles). Anyway, I've attached an example of 3 quarter sections from an area in our county on to an old non-linked page on my website. Please go to my website below, but after "...com", type in the following text: /bandb.htm That should take you to a page on stereophotos that I did nearly a decade ago (before I purchased a W3). Then scroll right to the bottom of the page for a recent aerial anaglyph. If you can't find it, just email me and I'll send over the image. At work, I use a Sokkia mirrored stereoscope (expensive) for the pre-2013 massive contact prints (post-2013 imagery is all digital, and therefore anaglyph), but at home I have a much more reasonably priced Geoscope for my 4x6 pairs. However, mirrored stereoscopes are getting much, much more difficult to find. I had a look a while back, and the only affordable thing I could find was WWII vintage Russian units that looked very sketchy. The other amazing thing about aerial stereo pairs, is that anyone can order very ancient ones (ie, the 1940's and later) from the Alberta government or the B.C. government. So, a while back, I ordered 1,200 dpi scans of the town I grew up in, and I could see -- in 3D, from thousands of feet up in the air -- where I used to play as a kid (about 50 years ago, before suburban sprawl covered it all up). The scans aren't as great a quality as the original contact prints would be, but I got a lot of enjoyment out of them. I would think that most or all advanced countries would have some similar aerial stereo imagery available for a reasonable price on the net. For the ones I got, I didn't even use the stereoscope; I just zoomed in to certain areas, cut and pasted, and did some parallel viewing on the computer screen.

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Stereoscopy Blog replied:

Comment posted: 03/03/2022

Thank you for the link, the anaglyph is fantastic! It's amazing to see things coming towards you, it really makes you explore the image to see what you can find and very much reminds me of the WW2 stereos I've seen. You get to use two fantastic mirrored stereoscopes. There are still a few retailers in the UK selling them, but as you said, they're definitely not cheap! The inventor of stereoscopy started with a mirrored stereoscope and always maintained that it was superior because of the large images you could use with it, and therefore the quality. It wasn't very practical though at the time, so it's nice to see them still in active use. I use a little hand-held one for my computer screen and it works well. Recently, a lot of aerial photos were released online in the UK by Cambridge Uni, but not stereoscopic ones. However, I couldn't help but be a nerd and make a few stereo pairs using the movement of the plane in sequential photos. Some worked well, others not so much as the planes were not always flying in a straight and level line. I'd absolutely love to see my home village in 3D from the air, but so far no images have turned up yet in public archives. I can very much appreciate how much enjoyment you must get from seeing them. Thanks so much for sharing.

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Bud Sisti on An Introduction to Stereoscopic (3D) Photography, and the Stereoscopy Blog – By Rebecca (from Stereoscopy Blog)

Comment posted: 03/03/2022

A very informative article, Rebecca. I have enough irons in the fire, photographically, that stereoscopy is not a can of worms I wish to open! However, let me compliment you on your writing style; concise, precise, and with a superb command of written English, you would make an outstanding technical writer in any field. Perhaps you are one, already? It's a refreshing and rare pleasure to see the written word done such good service!
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Stereoscopy Blog replied:

Comment posted: 03/03/2022

That's so kind of you to say Bud, thank you! Although I used to be a scientist, I didn't really write technically. I just write about stereoscopy from the heart.

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Rich on An Introduction to Stereoscopic (3D) Photography, and the Stereoscopy Blog – By Rebecca (from Stereoscopy Blog)

Comment posted: 02/03/2022

The Viewmaster was fun!
I wonder if anyone has made a stereoscopic pinhole camera!? (Just idle curiosity ????)

--Rich
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Stereoscopy Blog replied:

Comment posted: 02/03/2022

Yes, there are commercial ones, such as the Lomography Holga stereo pinhole camera (now discontinued), and, most recently, the Oczko Stereo Minuta stereo pinhole camera (based in Germany). There is also an awesome analogue photographer currently making their own :)

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