RE: George's Opinion...

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

Dan Shelley, I think there is a confusion here.  I am saying that the
experience of viewing slides in a good slide viewer is closer to the
experience of viewing the same scene with bare eyes (my definition of
"realism"), as compared to viewing computer images, anaglyphs, lenticulars,
etc.  I am comparing the degrees of realism in different forms of stereo
presentation.   That's all.

>My confusion really comes in when I see that you lump a variety of 
>"non-slide" format 3D with hyper stereo, and then imply that all of 
>those things are not the same as "real" stereo photography. 
>(Again, to not be accused of misquoting you, here it is: "but they are 
>no substitute for the realism of stereo photography, in my opinion.")

Let me clarify this: I never said that the non-slide format is "not real
stereo photography".  What I said in that particular quote is that
hyperstereos are not a substitute for the realism of ordinary (2.5" camera
separation, semi-ortho viewing) stereo photography.  Please do not confuse
"real" with "realism". 

>Did you really mean to type that hyperstereo images are not real stereo 
>photography? (and anaglyphs, and lenticulars, etc...) 

No, I never said that.

>I just don't understand why so many "slide backing" messages have to 
>cut at and be negative about other forms of 3D. 

They are not.  Unless if you consider the realism issue I am talking about
(or lack thereof) as negative.

>They are DIFFERENT types of stereo photography, and each have merit. 
>They also find different levels of acceptance amongst different people. 
>That is life, and it makes it interesting! =)

I agree with that.  And have concluded that this realism aspect of stereo
photography, the one that Paul nicely described on his story about the Grand
Canyon that got him hooked into 3d, the sense of being there, are amplified
in the stereo slide format.  I remember the reaction of someone looking at
a slide of the bride in my first stereo wedding.  His reaction was: "I see
a real person looking at me".  I understand this reaction because that's
how I felt when I saw this great slide.  I do not think that other forms of
stereo presentation generate a reaction anywhere close to this.  Feel free
to argue this point from your own personal experience.

George Themelis


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