Cylindrical Distortion

[Jan Boles <jambo@xxxxxxxxxx>]

11-26-97

List:

A recent wide-ranging thread on "distortion" stopped short of the area I
have been exploring lately. The term "cylindrical distortion" is helpful,
in my opinion, in discussing the geometry involved. A scholarly discussion
of the subject my be found in the March-April, 1983, issue of "American
Scientist" magazine, pp. 132-140, the article "Panoramic Photographs," by
Harold E. Malde, a mathematician, geologist, and very fine photographer.

As long as panoramic photographs (no matter what techniques are used to
produce them) are displayed flat (i.e., in two dimensions), their visual
effect is restricted. If the same pictures are displayed as an arc (i.e.,
cylindrically, in three dimensions) an altogether different effect results.

An example may be seen at:

http://www.acofi.edu/~comm/webquest/spring98/qboles.htm

My best to all on the list,

Jan Boles   <jambo@xxxxxxxxxx>