P3D Re; judging stereo cards

[Alan Lewis <dlewis@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Forgetful George wrote ;-)

> 1. What effect does the quality of the viewing instrument have, when
>    judging stereo cards?  Clearly, a different impression will be
>    formed in the judge's mind if an achromatic stereoscope is used,
>    rather than a Holmes' viewer which might also be blocking
>    part of the image at the edges, might not work well with eye
>    glass wearers, etc.

No doubt a great affect on judging the card.  After all, the stereoscope
is the final instrument for viewing the 3d image, the one that makes it
work (or not work).
Is judging a Realist slide in a Radex $3 viewer different than in a
LifeLike viewer, and is that different than judging a slide in a
RedButton with a Halongen lamp?  The slide may have a different effect
in each system.

Should we judge stereo cards with the plastic lorgnettes, or with the
plastic lensed Holmes scopes, or with a genuine antique scope, or with
an achromat scope, or maybe freeviewed?

The kind of viewer to be used for judging should probably be stated
before the entries are submitted to the contest.

If we choose a lesser optic quality viewer then we may penalize the
technical merit of the view.  If we use the best optic quality viewer
then we may overshadow the artistic merit of the view.  But I think that
we would all agree that a print view should pass both tests.  Like a
slide, the print view should be pass both the artistic and technical
merit tests.  Kind of like competing in figure skating competitions.

> 
> 2. Assuming that you see a stereo card that looks very good in 2d,
>    excellent composition, saturated colors, etc., and then, when
>    you view it in 3d in a good stereoscope, notice the lack of 
>    sharpness due to printing.  To me, this is a turnoff, especially
>    for a scenic view.  How much penalty does the judge impose in

About as much penalty as the same problem with a Realist slide in
competition.  We should keep a level playing field between the two
formats (print and slide).  

Do 3d judges score both artistic and technical merit separately? (this
is a serious question, I don't know the answer).

-- 
Alan Lewis  
mailto:dlewis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.arlington.net/homes/dlewis
Home of Weekend Stereo Projects 
New stereo viewers & Stereo Wedding Photography


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