Realist format and me # 2

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <fj834@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>What exactly is the "Realist format"?  How many types of 3-d imaging are 
>around?  How can these types be neatly classified?

The more I thought about these questions, the more complicated the subject 
became... Here is why:

- There are many ways to capture/record/create a stereoscopic image, 
- many ways to store it and maintain it, 
- and many ways to present into one's eyes.  

And most are interchangeable...

On one hand stereoscopic images captured with a variety of ways (classic 
stereo cameras, SLRs, computers, etc.) can be all converted into the same 
medium/format (slides, for example) and presented into one's eyes via the 
same method (projection, for example).  On the other hand, images captured 
with one technique (Realist slides, for example) can be converted to 
different formats (VM, prints, digitized computer images) and be presented 
with different methods (print viewers, parallel/cross free-viewing, etc.)

Most people make certain selections on how they will record and view 
stereoscopic images.  Some people choose to use classic stereo cameras to 
take slides and view them in slide viewers or an occassional projection.  
Others prefer to take prints. 

I think that the most "problems" arise when it comes to the presentation 
method.  That's because different hardware is required to view the 3-d 
effect.  Someone who works exclusively with 35 mm "Realist format" slides
might not be prepared to view 2x2 or medium format slides or prints of any 
kind or digitized images.

Needless to say, the same exaclty image can have a different impact 
depending on the way that it is presented... Even if we narrow the format 
down to say, prints, what we see and the impact that it has on us will 
depend a lot on the method that we use to view it, using a viewer, parallel 
freeviewing, cross freeviewing, or over/under with a View-Magic viewer.  
Slides for example can be viewed in a viewer or by projection and have a 
very different effect.  Even in projection, the overall impression depends 
on factors like the set up used (type or projector/screen, room ambient 
illumination) and one's sitting in the room.  Even in a slide viewer the 
end result will change depending on the quality of the viewer, the 
illumination system and other factors.

One of the problems that I had with expo1 was that I could not compare the 
stereoscopic images of different formats.  Comparing a "Realist slide" with 
a lenticular print was for me equivalent to comparing apples with oranges.  
I just could not do it... I could not even compare the "Realist slides" 
with the 2x2 slides because of the difference in quality of the viewers 
used to view each one.  It would have been better if all the images were 
converted to one presentation technique or if there was a different voting 
scheme for the different formats.

To be continued...

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