NSA '96 -- The Shows

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

Rochester '96 -- The Shows  
 
Morris Keesan gave us an interesting perspective on the slide shows that 
were projected in Rochester:  
  
"The slide shows in the Stereo Projection Theater were very mixed, and some
of them made me feel a lot better about my own photography.  I guess I've 
been spoiled by the quality of shows we get to see at our Stereo New
England meetings, but I was surprised by some of the poorly exposed and/or 
improperly mounted slides people were willing to project for a presumably 
discerning audience.  And one or two shows, while technically OK, were 
overlong and sorely in need of editing."  
  
I agree with these comments.  There was a mixture of good work and work 
needed some work.  But we have to be careful when we compare shows
projected in a club level (smaller screen and audience) vs. NSA.  I say 
this because I enjoyed the "Michigan Magic" show much more when it was 
projected in Detroit vs. Atlanta NSA '95.    
  
"Others were great: Shilo Teshima's "Meet Shilo" is a gem --  short, 
witty, a few good slides that leave the viewer wanting more."  
  
That was my favorite too!  Congratulations to Shilo, a photo-3d member, 
for his good taste!  When I first heard that he had a slide show, I was a 
bit concerned... The title "Meet Shilo" did not fit the image I had for  
an hour long NSA show.  Of course, I was pleasantly surprised to see Shilo 
next to his 3-d TV ("3-D TV?") with a small selection of good and 
interesting slides, narrated with a great sense of humor "The heat from  
the projector is melting the snow!  Quick!  Change slide!"  I hope that 
other NSA members will get some ideas for short and clever shows (in place 
of some of the reaaaaally long and, should I dare say this?, kinda boring 
work we saw...)  
  
"And I haven't yet had a chance to hear George Themelis's impressionst of 
the Koehlers' anamorphic widescreen shows.  Knowing his preference for 
5-perf over 7-perf, I can't help wondering what he thought of these 
superwide slides."  
  
OK, I'll tell you...  The widescreen anamorphic shows were great.  And,
yes, the good old Realist format looked kinda miserable in the super wide 
NSA screen (3 of them could fit in there).  I liked the widescreen shows
but I kept thinking that it is more a matter of proportion than sheer size.
This is a landscape format as landscape it can be.  Many subjects are not 
well suited for this format.  Like people and portraits, but also other 
types of images too.  One can duplicate the format by shooting twin SLRs, 
cropping the top and/or bottom and coming close to fill the screen.  You
are going to loose resolution by doing so but resolution is not so
important in projection.  
  
Would I like to try anamorphic super wide stereo?  No.  Why?  For a number 
of reasons:  You can only view your work in projection.  You are limited in
equipment and in subject matter.  It's great if one person or group is
doing it, but two is a crowd in this area.  I enjoy projecting 5-5 and 7-p
slides at home but I agree that the wider images look better in big screens.  
  
Overall, I enjoyed the projections.  I liked Bob Broomberg's work
("inspired by Stan White") and Bill Duggan was great fun when he could not 
remember the names of some of his best friends..., among others.  
  
One interesting observation:  I find the narration to be very important 
because it can add or take away from the show.  The Koehlers started 
telling us a few things about each slide and then stopped when the music  
came in.  I liked it more with the narration.  And there was one slide show
where the narration was so loooow key, it put all of us to sleep.  
Something to have in mind.  
  
George Themelis  
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