[MF3D.FORUM:520] Re: Slide review....

["Oleg Vorobyoff" <olegv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bill Glickman suggested that great stereo shots should have:
>>1.  A range of subjects from near to far, creating an extreme depth feeling.
... and so on.

Sam replied
>I have reservations about #1. It's good to have a few shots with
>extremes in depth, but depth can get just as repetitive and boring as
>family vacation slides. I have some favorites with very few depth clues.
>It's like a simple scene in color where almost everything is in shades of
>grey, but one single subject that has a subtile hint of color catches the
>eye and makes the composition complete. Depth can be subtile as well,
>especially when you use reality versus novelty as a criteria.


Good discussion.

Obviously, extremes of anything can be tolerated only so far.  But I took Bill's
suggestion to mean a good stereo shot has fullness of depth.  I think it is a
good practice to use at least the depth available between the stereo window and
optical infinity, much as zone system black-and-white photographers try to use
the whole tonal range between black and white.  This does not mean all
photographs must be balanced about middle grey - just that low key photographs
should have at least a hint of white a high key photographs should have at least
a hint of black.  I like to see the same with respect to depth.  The best
pictures seem to have a feeling of surreality.  Exaggeration of depth is one way
to achieve this.

As for subtlety, it can be wonderful in a viewer, but delicate distinctions of
depth, tonality and color seem to be lost under stereo projection.   I suppose
the photographer needs to go out carrying both a viewing hat and a projection
hat and make sure he is wearing the appropriate one in each shooting situation.

Oleg Vorobyoff