P3D Is Tom wrong because it is easy?

[bill3dbw3d@xxxxxxxx (Bill C Walton)]

Tom Deering wrote that he was enjoying projecting his commercially 
mounted  2x2x2 stereo slides with two projectors and wondered what he was
doing wrong, since it  so easy

TOM - Keep on truckin!!.  The main thing about this somewhat obtuse art
form is enjoyment and entertainment and if you are getting one or both of
these out of the way you do it , then everything is just fine.  To many
folks want to put measurements, stereo window, homolgous points, lens
separation, toe-in or no toe in, color only, ortho seating, and (what
have I forgot, anyway you get the idea) into the equation when they talk
to newcomers or stereo neophytes.  All these "weird terms and phrases "
seem to turn many people off .   And you don't need any of them to enjoy
stereo.  All you have to have is a camera and unless you know how to look
at the images without a viewer (this would have been where "freeviewing"
would have been added to the laundry list above) some sort of viewing
device.  I think he has the basic requirements and has probably shown
some of his stereo images to his friends, who were probably amazed.

I haven't been in stereo all that long, only about 25 years compared to
Paul Wing's 60/65 years or so.  But I do know that you do not need a
bunch of expensive equipment or a long laundry list of rules (Oh yeah I
forgot the 1/30 rule )
to have a good time.  I am really a short timer in stereo slides as I had
never made one until I bought a TDC716 projector, in 1985, for $5.00.  So
I have a lot to learn.

Someone mentioned that Tom might have to switch to another system if he
wants to enter NSA folios or international exhibitions.  This is
completely incorrect.  There is a very active 2x2x2 stereo slide folio in
the Stereoscopic Society of America and should Tom decide to join NSA/SSA
I am sure he will be welcomed.  Not all, but some international
exhibitions, accept 2x2x2 stereo slides.  For instance the Ruhrgebiet
Exhibition in Germany, with a closing date in August accepts slides in
this format..  I participated 3 years in the SSA 2x2x2 folio and all my
entries were commercial mounted.  Of course, no projection is allowed in
the SSA as folks are concerned their slides will disappear faster than
normal.. Also precision mounting is not a requirement to enter
international exhibitions, although it is encouraged.  Every set of slide
exhibition rules that I have seen have a remark that says more or less
"slides may be remounted if necessary"  And of course if Tom has some
really good "stuff" there are multiple exhibitions that accept a single
slide  i.e. Nature, Travel, photojournalism  etc.

I of course, favor prints to start out in stereo as lorgnette viewers are
some of the cheapest (not the best) viewers that one can buy and 1 hour
photo shops can quickly finish the prints for viewing .  Granted, you may
have to educate your photo processor if you use a stereo camera..  In my
stereo presentations I use what I call "The Artists Special" to
demonstrate two camera stereo.  It consists of two Vivitar ECOSUN cameras
in the vertical position, separated by a block of wood and held to the
same piece of wood with some healthy rubber bands.  For different lens
separation, you rotate the block of wood and change the location of the
cameras.  The shutters are fired "simultaneously" using  both hands.  No
meter, no range finder, no ASAP setting, no fa stop to set, no shutter
speed to set.  - 200 Kodak color film (I know I normally use BY film but
this rig is for Artists so they can make a stereo to paint from) and it
works just fine. I invested a grand total of  $7.80 in this rig at
Montgomery Wards.  Will it make prize winning stereos - Probably not     
Will it make acceptable stereos - Yes, I have received acceptances in
international stereo card exhibitions with images from this cheap rig,
using TriG 400 ASAP film..

I think what I am trying to bring out that stereography is not ROCKET
SCIENCE and it can be enjoyed for very little money and almost no
technical knowledge.

Tom, we are glad to have you join the "stereo family" and wish you all
sorts of fun and success.

BILL C WALTON, ISC
Bill3dbw3d@xxxxxxxx
.   

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