P3D How best to sell your stereo slides.

[boris@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Boris Starosta)]

In a response (off-line) to my ongoing effort to sell some 2x2x2 stereo
slide sets on sell-3D (I am selling a new set of my nudes, and a set of my
computer generated views), it has been suggested that I may do better
selling them in Realist format than 2x2x2.  As this may be of interest to
stereo enthusiasts in general, please allow me some comments on this:

All of my photography is vertical format full frame 35mm, so mounting to
Realist format is not trivial, even in RBT mounts, and often degrades the
image.  Some of my images are not mountable in Realist format, because the
full vertical (35mm tall image) is essential to the composition.

This is true of some of my best computer images as well.  And why would I
compose a vertical scene on the computer or camera?  Because I feel that in
composition, the vertical axis naturally gives more opportunity for depth.
Look at my computer graphics stereo page:
http://www.starosta.com/stereo.html
for two examples of recent work that could not be done in landscape format.

I'm not saying it's impossible for me to sell my slides in Realist
mounts... But it would cost more.  Would anyone on this list buy a set of
ten views for $150.-?  That's the price I would want, to make it worth my
while to go into the re-mounting business.

Given that choice, wouldn't you rather buy a set for $40, and then re-mount
the ones you like to the format of your choice?  A real masochist would put
seven of my views into a V-M reel, I suppose.

I do agree that, given the same price for a set, Realist format will sell
better - to the stereo enthusiast market.  But that price is not possible
for Realist format in small volume production; and small volume is all
you'll ever get selling only to stereo enthusiasts!  I would love to hear
otherwise!  Cost of duplication / distribution is one of the drawbacks of
the Realist format that I discussed with Dr. T some months ago on this list
(search the archives for "realist / twin rig recap" or "Realist system
flawed").

And what about ViewMaster?  Aside my little barb above, I could also
produce and sell V-M reels, which are both low cost, well known, and have a
broad user base.  But I feel that the image quality is inadequate.  (In
fact, moreso than even the Realist, V-M degrades the general public's
perception of what really good stereo can look like.  In marketing my work,
I fight what I call the "ViewMaster Effect":  the notion that stereo
imagery is small and cardboardy and for kids).

In time, I hope to sell to the broader market (i.e. enlarge the stereo
market), and selling 2x2x2 format is the only way for me to go for high
quality and moderate cost right now.

Members of this list interested in exploring the comparative value of an
inexpensive orthoscopic 2x2x2 slide/viewer and their own Realist system
should consider getting just one or two slide pairs from me, along with a
viewer.  I still insist that the image quality with my viewer and slides
rivals that produced by the Realist "system" (i.e. Realist camera, and Red
Button viewer).  And now that I have my own Realist and R-B viewer, I feel
more confident making that claim.  I guarantee your satisfaction.

Respectfully submitted,




Boris Starosta

usa 804 979 3930

boris@xxxxxxxxxxxx
http://www.starosta.com
http://www.starosta.com/3dshowcase



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