Who are our 'masters'?

[P3D Jamie Drouin <jdrouin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

        It's interesting what happens to the brain when you're sick in bed
for two days.  For me, I usually start reading through my book collection
alphabetically, which, oddly enough, happens to be almost entirely devoted
to photographic history.  Although the majority of books were purchased
before I become interested in 3D photography, a number of texts are
supposed to represent a comprehensive overview of the medium and its
'masters'.  This time around, I wanted to learn more about the masters of
stereophotography.  I wanted to find a 3D equivalent to Strand, Weston,
Evans, and Atget, the work that had drawn me to the medium in the first
place.

        What I found was the odd text reference to the stereoscope as
entertainment, or teaching aid, or something that photographers known for
2D might have dabbled in for a brief period.  Once in a while I was treated
to an actual stereophoto, but never exactly an inspiring image and not, in
my opinion, up to the quality represented by the 2D images surrounding it.

        Now, I am SURE that there are/were exceptional stereophotographers,
ones who made images just as wonderful as Strand's portrait of "The Family
Lusetti".  I am also sure that there are better texts on stereophotography,
such as STEREO WORLD, but it is interesting that it has been given such a
small corner in all of my 'general' texts.  Do we have Beaumont Newhall,
Alfred Stieglitz and all who followed them to blame for this?  Am I back to
the same problem in properly viewing these images in reproduction or is
there a more obvious reason I am overlooking?

        Who are our masters and how do I see their work?


                                                            jamie.

Jamie Drouin (jdrouin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx)
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    Photographer & collector of
     Stereophotographic items
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 http://www.islandnet.com/~jdrouin



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