A breath of fresh air...

[P3D Dr. George A. Themelis <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This past week I mounted 3 rolls of stereo slides, some of them dating 
back from Easter.

WOW!  What a breath of fresh air!

I can sit in front of my computer all day long, day after day, week 
after week, talking about stereo... I can debate the different camera 
systems, argue the merits of the Realist format, etc.  BUT, it is only 
after I mount a roll of film that my faith to stereo photography is 
renewed and my interest vitalized.

There was a period in my life when I was loosing interest in stereo 
photography.  I can see how things shift around, new interests come 
in, old ones go to the "back burner".  I can see how people get into 
3-d, stay there for a while, then disappear in thin air and let their 
stereo cameras collect dust.

Unfortunately, it is a one of those self-amplifying situations.  If 
you mount a roll and the results are not as good as expected, 
disappointment can settle in.  You will be less motivated to take 
pictures.  This will make you lose more interest, the camera will be 
used less and less often, until the interest is evaporated, the 
subscription to "Stereo World" expired, and "unsubscribe photo-3d" 
(junk electronic mail?) is issued.

I almost got trapped in a loop like that around 1989.  Something was 
not working right.  Film, technique, I am not sure.  Pictures were not 
good.  Disappointment was in, film left in camera for months, I was in 
my way out... Fortunately (? ;)), things turned around... It only 
took one roll of great stereo pictures... The WOW reaction... I was 
back in the ballgame again.  Shooting roll after roll and getting one 
great picture after another...

Gradually, 3-d kicked other interests out... Astronomy is out (did not 
even buy the telescope I always wanted).  Woodworking is out (Sears 
must love me with all those tools I bought and never used).  House-
improvement is out (house is falling apart).  3-D still in and going 
strong.  I must be the exception because I have many friends who 
started as enthusiastic as I have and don't take any pictures now... 
The typical excuse is "lack of time".  The new baby, the new house, 
the new job, a new interest... A small distraction.  No pictures, no
interest.  Maybe one day these friends will come back strong.  All 
it takes, IMO, is a roll of great pictures.  A breath of fresh air...

Coming next:  Dr. T's Tips for Better Stereo Pictures... 

George (Trying to keep up his record in number of postings ;) Themelis


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