PSSP Meeting summary

[P3D Adam L. Beckerman <adam@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Last night's Potomac Society of Stereographic Photographers meeting 
in Washington DC was my first, and defnitely not my last.  Being 22 
years old, I knew I was going to be a minority in this hobby since most 
of the equipment still in use was manufactured in the 50s and not much 
good new stuff has come out since then.  Well, no surprise to me, when 
I showed up, I could have called many of the people there grandma or 
grandpa (no offense intended), but I didn't....  Seeing a much younger 
woman who from what I could tell, may actually know what a computer 
was, I approached her, and sure enough it was Brenda Nowlan, new P3D 
member.

The meeting started off with some general announcements and awards 
were given out for various competitions.  I personally feel I should have 
won the 'Youngest Meeting Attendee' award.  A brief presentation was 
given on the new Loreo/Argus camera/viewer set that ranges from $50-$80 
new, and the box with sample card was passed around.  Very impressive 
system as far as new equipment goes, but it has its limitations of course.  
Then we jumped right into the slide show, Brenda and I giggling and oohing 
and aahing in the front row at the wonderful slides being shown (it being 
our first meeting and all).  It also being my first experience viewing a stereo 
slide show from both a TDC and a dual 2x2 setup, I noticed a thing or two 
about each.

1.  The TDC takes a team of four people to get somewhat smooth and quick 
operation and presentation (one to feed the slides, one to focus, and one on 
each of the horizontal and vertical adjustments).  I'm sure one could get by 
with fewer people, but this seemed the most effective way to minimize 
headaches and eyestrain.  And the knob extensions were a great way for 
everyone to just sit and watch and not have to meddle too much with 
adjustments, and the presenter could concentrate on presenting.

2.  The 2x2 can have problems when one carousel advances and the other 
does not.  Other than that, the shows were very enjoyable.

Jim Roy, the club's treasurer showed DC in 3D.  It was a change from the 
originally scheduled program and was intended specifically for a City Paper 
journalist that actually never showed up.  Figures!  After Jim, Bill Duggan 
gave a few 2x2 shows:  
one on an introduction to stereography (in Brenda's and my honor I think), 
one of some macros of bumblebees in flight that was really neat, and one on 
Richmond, the NSA site for 1998 (I believe he showed this at Bellevue).  
There was also a great show of slides shot using an infrared filter in which the 
colors were distorted.  In case you're curious, he (I don't remember his name) 
shot it on E-6 film and made SURE the processor didn't do any infrared testing 
on it.  So, that about sums it up.  I laid out my prints (very first roll of stereo) 
from San Francisco (which I will be putting on the web this weekend) and that 
drew a tiny audience (to my delight).  I also passed out some info on P3D and 
how to sign on to some people online, but no on-list.  And there was plenty of 
other handouts and info. that we picked up.  All in all, it was a great experience, 
and Brenda and I both said we'd be back next month.

FYI,

Adam


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