To Project or Not Project???

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

Sounds like Mark Kernes is ready to buy a projector!  This is an important
step in the life of a stereo photographer.  Sooner or later every Realist-
format photographer expresses the desire to get a projector and try stereo 
projection.  First comes the camera, then the viewer and finally the
projector. (After that, it is the *better* camera/viewer/projector :-))

First, let's ask if and why you might need a stereo projector.  There is no
question that slides look better in a good viewer.  Slide projection is a
hassle.  It takes time to set it up, you need to worry about screens,
glasses, mounting, etc., and, at the end, your treasured slides might not
look good after all.  It is much easier to use the good-old viewer than
deal with projection.

There are three situations where you might eed projector:  1) You live a
busy social life and like to entertain people, 2) You are active in stereo
slide competitions (in PSA or at a local club level) and want to see how
your slides project, 3) You are determined to put together a slide show for
a targeted audience or just general use.  

I got my TDC 116 projector in 1988 but it was only after I joined the
Detroit Stereo Club in 1994 that I started using it.  Now, I have it set
permanently in my basement and can be used in a matter of seconds.  I
project every stereo picture that I take and I am working on a couple of
programs.

Using a projector has opened for me a new class of 3d material:  Slides
that "project well" (see previous discussions onwhat looks good in
projection vs. a viewer).  When I mount, I separate slides in the following
groups:  Rejects (throw away), record or personal slides not likely to show
to strangers, slides that look good in a viewer for SSA and other slide
sharing activities, and slides that project well and could be used in
future Detroit/PSA competitions.  Creating (or discovering) a good
projection slide is an exciting event!

OK, now you got a projector.  How are you going to use it??? 

Instead of just grabbing a few slides at random, it is a good  idea to have
a complete program to present to an audience.  For certain people, life
would not be complete without a few good slide shows. Putting together a 
slide show is a time-consuming but exciting and rewarding process.  

Here are some ideas for shows that I am working on right now:

  Subject          - Main Targeted Audience
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Greece           - Greek school where I teach
* Cleveland/Ohio   - Locals
* Scientific 3D    - People at work, professional societies
* Potpourri by DrT - General use.  This is a collection of interesting
                     stereo slides (many of them borrowed) illustrating a 
                     technique, making a point, or just good 3d.

A slide show is a dynamic entity.  It changes with time as new ideas come
in, and new/better images replace older ones. Working and maintaining such
program is an exciting part of 3d.  If you finally buy a stereo projector
don't let it collect just but put it to good use instead!!!

-- George Themelis


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