OUR Cleveland STEREOSCOPIC Club

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

Bill Walton writes:

>Now a question for George.Themelis.  In your "commercials" for the 
>Cleveland STEREO Club, you have not mentioned anything (or at least 
>I have not seen anything) in regards to those of us who work in stereo's
>classic format, stereo cards.  Are there any provisions for accommodating
>stereo cards enthusiasts or is your STEREO club strictly for slide
>enthusiasts?

Good question Bill.  Short answer:  We are flexibe and are doing our best.

The issue is not "slides vs. stereo cards" but "what format?".  Even 
in slides we have Realist format, 2x2, View-Master, etc. that are not 
compatible (require different hardware to project).  In prints we 
have "Holmes", View-Magic, etc.  Also, we have anaglyphs, lenticulars,
computer images, etc.

OUR club is open for anyone interested in STEREOSCOPIC photography. 
In our proposed constitution we listed as club objective to "Promote
Stereoscopic Photography among the club's members and the general 
public"  Under membership there is nothing to exclude anyone because
of their specific stereoscopic preferences.  Our constitution is 
subject to change and club officials are elected every year.  The 
club reflects the interests of its members, not the occassional 
officials.

The club officials responsible for organizing club activites must
balance the member's interests with practical considrations.  Our
poll has indicated that the majority of members are working with
stereo slides ("Realist format") which also happens to be one of
the easiest to share (via projection).  As a result, our proposed
program for next year is heavy in this format.  It does not however
exclude other format.  We are asking members to bring and share
their favorite stereo images.  Some members have brought View Master
reels and stereo views.  In our schedule for next year we have a
program in View-Master, a program in 2x2 projection and a program
in Stereo Prints.  In addition, our workshops (Hyperstereo, etc.)
are mostly format-insensitive.

As a stereo photographer I have some preferences like everybody
else.  As an elected club official (if I get elected in the next
meeting :-)) I will NOT let those preferences dominate the club's
activities but will use my judgement for what is best for the club.  
(Boy, I sound like I am running an election campaign right now!)

-- George Themelis

PS.  Trust me Bill! I did a lot of research!!! 


------------------------------