Re: Holmes Vs. The Freedom of Artistic Expression

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

Shab Levy addresses some interesting questions regarding the format of 
stereo images and artistic expression, in his letter to APEC.  I am 
not a member of APEC and do not work with prints but I find the 
subject of mixing different formats of interest.  Shab wants to submit 
images of different sizes, presumably larger than the standard Holmes 
format, while some APEC members object.  Shab feels that different 
size prints might fit the subject better or be preferred for reasons 
of artistic expression.

As a rule, most stereo image exchanges or competitions/exhibitions  
require images of a specific format and/or size.  Usually, the 
determining factor is the viewing/projecting device and it is required 
that all images entered/exchanged can be viewed/projected with a 
specific set of hardware.  For example, the SSA "Realist-format" slide 
circuits require that the images exchanged are slides mounted in 
standard 41 mm x 101 mm frames.  The size of the image itself is not 
specified and it is usually anything from half-frame (4p) to 
"European" (7p) or wider.  The reason that the outer frame must of the 
standard 41 mm x 101 mm size is that this will fit in the 
"Realist-format" type viewers used by the members of the group.  

Similar restrictions apply for many PSA-sponsored slide exhibitions 
that are judged in projection.  If a person wants to submit a slide in 
separate mounts (2x2x2 format) then this is a problem because a 
different viewer/projector is required and the image cannot be 
compared/judged/evaluated as the rest of the images.  SSA has a 
separate 2x2x2 circuit.  Some slide competitions will accept 2x2x2 
slides but most don't.

There is at least one stereo exhibition that will accept images in any 
stereo format to be judged all together.  I do not understand how can 
this work because personally I am unable to compare images viewed via 
"drastically" different methods (as in projection vs. Holmes viewer 
vs. anaglyph glasses vs. View-Magic, etc.)

Expo, organized by photo-3d (we are currently running expo2), is a 
unique affair where all different formats, from Realist slides to 3D 
videos are found under one roof.  This is a very unique and positive 
experience since the participating members are exposed to many 
different formats.  Expo is not a regular event but rather an 
expo-sition, a special event that takes place once every 2 years or so 
(that's how long it takes for the expo package to complete the 
circuit) with a different management and membership every time.

For regular exchanges within a group like APEC or SSA or PSA, I find 
the requirement of following a specific format, as specified by the 
viewing devices, very reasonable.   APEC appears to be quite flexible 
already allowing two very different formats (Holmes and View-Magic).  
Shab wants to submit larger prints that might require a different 
viewing device than Holmes type viewer.  What if a member wants to 
submit contact prints of 35 mm negatives, for freeviewing?  Other 
members might feel that this type of presentation is inferior to the 
standard Holmes' prints.  But why stop at prints?  What if another 
member feels that for reasons of artistic expression a backlit 
transparency is the best presentation format?  Hence we are open to 
inferior Realist snapshots?  :-)

Perhaps what Shab is looking is a stereo image exchange group that 
puts (almost) no restriction to the formats entered/accepted?

-- George Themelis


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