Realist - Viewmaster image comparisons

["allan carrano" <allan.carrano@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

     In recent months I've been collecting Viewmaster reels as well as 
     continuing shooting slides in Realist and European formats.  I've 
     noticed that when viewing the slides I shoot, I spend considerable 
     time perusing the images in the viewer.  I don't do the same with 
     Viewmaster images.
     
     My initial thinking was that I have a vested ego in the images I 
     shoot, unlike the less personal connection to the purchased Viewmaster 
     reels. But further consideration made me realized that the same held 
     true when I viewed Realist images taken by someone other than myself.  
     I just spend more time rolling my eyes around the images in the red 
     button viewer, taking everything in once, twice and maybe a third 
     time.  The images in the Viewmaster (Model D), do hold the same degree 
     of mesmerizing captivation.
     
     I (being of scientific persuasion) pursued this curiosity further by 
     performing a test with a couple of unsuspecting friends.  I hauled out 
     some realist slide and VM reels and we sat around looking at slides in 
     each.  My observation was that they confirmed my own behavior, i.e., 
     they spent two to three times the amount of time looking at a Realist 
     image as opposed to looking at a VM image.  Let me clarify --- I don't 
     include the extra time to pick up and replace the slides in the 
     Realist viewer compared to the rapid firing of the VM viewer.  I am 
     referring only to the time spent letting their eyes roam the images.
     
     I can make the analogy of this observation to 2D photography, where an 
     8 x 10 enlargement commands more attention than the 4 x 5 proof.  But 
     is that what the difference is? Image size?  How much one's visual 
     periphery is filled?  I tend to believe so.
     
     If there is more to this phenomenon than what I've described, I don't 
     know what it might be.  Just as stereo vision is more than binocular 
     vision (which is how I previously viewed it before being enlightened 
     by this list), might there be more to image interest captivation 
     between Realist and VM images other than size differential?  Any 
     comments?
     
     Allan   


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