P3D New member would like to say "Hello", and to comment.

["Johnson, Stuart" <SLJ4@xxxxxxx>]

	Hello fellow 3-D enthusiasts. My name is Stuart Johnson
and I am both glad to be a part of the fantastic medium of 3-D
photography, and to be able to share information with others.  I
live in the Sierra Foothills of California (Old Gold Country) and 
started to collect antique views several years ago.  After a while, 
I concluded that this was the ONLY and BEST way to capture
subjects with a camera.  In fact TWO cameras!  Before long I
found myself completely engaged in Stereo Photography. In 
college, I began to pursue a career in photography and studied
under Bill Bragdon (a student of Ansel Adams) -only to "shelf"
this interest for marriage and a stable income...  But that was 
years ago... After much experimenting and camera buying &
selling, I currently photograph and collect Stereo Photographs
with equal enthusiasm.

	Using two Olympus OM4's back-to-back mounted on
standard "L" brackets (1" x 6" steel hardware) arranged on a
Bogen Double Camera mount atop a 3047 Bogen Tripod, I use
24mm and 38mm lenses.  Along with a variety of specialty
Filters I have been able to successfully "shoot" many subjects.
Primarily, I shoot historical Gold-Rush era (1840-1910) places
between Mariposa and DownieVille in California.  I prefer to 
shoot 36 exposure rolls of Kodak Royal Gold 25 ASA Print Film
that is processed at a local quality camera shop.  They are 
processed in Glossy 3-1/2" x 5" Prints to then be cut (trimmed)
with a paper cutter to 3" x 3-5/8" pairs mounted on 3-7/8" x 7"
by 3/32" thick Black Post-Up board (The "stiff" kind art students
and Papers use).  Then, ultimately these are enjoyed in the 
antique Holmes / Bates Stereo Viewers. I use Russel Norton's
archival sleeves for storage.

	I have been shooting the "Gold Country" for over two 
years now with an ultimate ambition to offer these for sale as
"sets" with each card containing the relevent Historical Info on
the backs in the Old-Style formats. My hope is to present these
sets in either a Replica Table Top viewer, or in a box along with
a Replica Holmes / Bates viewer & stand.  -What started out
as purely a desire to ENJOY this has evolved into a "goal" of
sharing this work with others as I continue to be encouraged
by others to do just that.  What has been interesting so far is
the tremendous interest people seem to have in the 3-D photos
being produced, and the amzement by people who wonder why
this is'nt already being done!   When I briefly tell them of the 
"past" of 3-D photography, most are simply... stunned.  They
just can't believe it "dis-appeared'!!

	It is interesting to note that many people DO recognize
what I'm doing and immediately come to take a closer look, etc.
Once I complete my computer system with a new scanner, I 
will be happy to "post" some of my images to share with fellow
members.  I agree with a current commentator about feeling
like a "kid" with this stuff!  -I'm fascinated with all of it!

	Finally, I must say that I enjoy StereoWorld a lot, and
only wish it was more robust for us "Shooters".  I really would
like to see a specific regular column devoted to SLR or Medium
format 3-D photography with the NEWER cameras!  (Come-on
guys/gals.... the recent cameras/lenses of the last TWENTY
years demolish the performance of any of the "older" types.
Especially the optics.)

	It would be great to see and read articles and photos
of  Potential Configurations, Do's & Don'ts,  Films,  Filters, 
Lenses,  Formats (Slide & Print),  Hyper shots,  Portrait,  Etc.
Even highlight people actively engaged shooting 3-D with the
quality equipment available today. How about that guy on the 
internet that BUILD's all of those fantastic camera's!  Now 
THAT is Impressive!

	I strongly feel that the impact of a well done color
Stereo Image is stunning to almost anyone that see's one.
I'm very glad to read that there are quite a few 3-D "shooters"
out there, and I hope to contribute whatever I can to help
present Stereo Photography positively to as many as I can.

I'm glad to be a part of the world of 3-D.  Like many of you,
I suspect you too put on View-Master Slide shows for the
family as a kid.... Who would have thought....

			Stuart Johnson
			Gold Country Stereophotography
			P.O. Box  1220
			Shingle Springs, Ca. 
			95682
			gcsphoto@xxxxxxx


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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 2732
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