P3D Re: Stereo World

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

H a r o l d   B a i z e writes:

>First a comment on Dr. T's complaint about Stereo World. 

I would say "observations" :-)  Yes, it did sound like complaining but 
upon further thought I started wondering if there any reason for SW to 
be different.

>YES, quite valid. It does not fully represent the interests of the 
>contemporary stereographer. 

Is it supposed to?  This is a fundamental question in my mind right now.

>However, this thread has run its course before on
>Photo-3D and the conclusion is always the same. Just like a stereo
>club, Stereo World depends on contributions. If we want more
>contemporary content then WE have to write it and submit it.

I might have missed previous discussions and I do not fully agree with 
the conclusion.  Here are two examples:

Paul Milligan is one of the most prolific stereo writers of our times. 
He has contributed many articles on stereo techniques to a variety of 
publications but never to Stereo World.  Why?  Obviously, he has no 
problem writing but perhaps does not consider SW the place to carry 
his articles.

Robert Leonard is a very active contemporary stereo photographer and 
currently the chairman of the Stereo Division of PSA.  Together with 
his brother Ronald they have published articles in the PSA Journal on 
stereo photographic equipment and techniques for the contemporary 
photographer.  In Stereo World 24.3 they published an article "Verdum 
Then & Now - What Price Glory".  Clearly a historical article.  Why?  
Why do these contemporary photographers submit historical articles in 
Stereo World and not contemporary stereo photography articles?

Even when Stereo World published long articles on the Realist Custom or 
the Macro Realist, the emphasis was not on how to use the cameras but 
on the history behind them.  Stereo World very rarely has published 
any articles on hacking stereo equipment.  It has developed a 
reputation for carrying high class researched historical articles and 
news from the standpoint of the stereo consumer and not the active 
stereo photographer.

In my mind, it is not clear WHO or WHAT gives Stereo World or NSA 
guidelines to promote certain areas of stereo.  Is it the personal 
interests of the editor, the interests of the members/subscribers or 
the interests of the Officers, or, more likely, some unspecified mix 
of the above?

Another question:  Is that something that we want to change?  The 
answer is not an obvious yes.  There are other organizations and 
publications that cover the active stereo photographer (ISU, PSA, and 
others).  Do we want to change SW or NSA?

-- George Themelis


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