Late evening thoughts on stereo formats

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

It's good to see Bill C. Walton in this list, one of the most prolific
stereo workers today... I know Bill from the Alpha folio (slides) of
SSA and I love to read his reports on how many folios he handles in
a year (mostly prints).

It's no secret that Bill is a big proponent of stereo prints (also
B&W photography - but that's another story).  I've heard complains that
P3D discussions are dominated by slide film users, so with Bill around
this situation might change.

Bill writes:

>I am a stereo card (prints if you prefer) maker and that is my main 
>stereo interest...  PSA finally recognized stereo cards as a means of 
>stereographic expression in 1993 and we have a small, but active Stereo 
>Card Circuit that operates within the PSA...  PSA is having a stereo 
>card division in their 1997 International Exhibition.  "One Giant Step 
>for PSA and also one Giant Step for Stereo Card Enthusiasts.   
>       I know of at least four stereo card enthusiasts/makers among the
>photo-3d group and there may be more.  I would hope that some of them put
>forth some of their ideas and questions on P3d.

All this is great Bill.  Historically, stereo slides took over stereo
prints with the introduction of the Stereo Realist in 1947.  Stereo
photography had a brief but strong peak in the 50s with the slide film
being the king.  After the decline of stereo in the 60s and 70s, the use
of slide film also declined.  In one sense, we are lucky that the film
used in the Stereo Realist *50* years ago, is still available today
and these cameras are still useful.

IMO, today, the slide film is in danger of extincion.  There is no
question in my mind that stereo prints will become more and more popular
in the future, especially with the increase use of digital photography.
Many beginners today don't even know where to buy and how to process
slide film while everybody is familiar with prints.  The situtation
will get worse in the future.  

If there is a war worth fighting IMO today, it is not to make stereo
cards more popular but to preserve the use of slide film in stereo
photography.  I will continue to fight this war and "educate" the 
younger generation on the many advantages of slide film in stereo
photography.

Regards -- George Themelis


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