P3D NSA '98 - Shows

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

Most successful convention in terms of stereo shows.  I liked 
everything I saw, but was particularly impressed with Bob Brackett's 
"seamless" dissolve from 2D to 3D while showing images from the book 
"Museum 3D", Robert Bloomberg's masterpiece "Tuscany", and Dwight
Cummings oh-what-fun "Kitchen Sink".

Bob Bloomberg's show in particular, which was voted best show of the 
convention, left me speechless.  Every picture was a lesson in good 
composition and exposure.  Normal stereos, close-ups and hyperstereos 
were all blended wonderfully in a sequence played under his own music 
(I understand he is also a composer).  No narration.  Just medicine 
for the eyes and ears.  

After the show I was surprised to learn the following details:  This 
was Bob's summer vacation (this summer?  when did he find the time to 
put it together?).  He only shot 29 rolls (I shoot 40 during the same 
time and get back garbage).  Mostly Fuji Velvia (very surprised to 
hear this, no high contrast in these smooth images) and duplicated 
(wow!).  No twin SLRs, just one SLR hand-held for hypers (WOW!!!).  
The man is a genius!

Congratulations also to first-time presenters and P3d members Dave 
Kesner (DrDave), Andrea Blair and Boris Starosta for a job well done!

One comment on projection media:  I am happy to report that 
professional results in projection can be achieved with both stereo 
(101x41 mm) mounts and 2x2 slides using a Brackett Dissolver or 4 
projectors. 

Moving to movies, yes, I did go to see "Dial M for Murder" (heck, I 
even did not mind the 1-3 am showing times or the 1 1/2 hour wait, 
outside the theater! - sorry, I meant "theatre") and enjoyed the 
gentle and very natural depth of the film. The movie was not shot with 
3d in mind in every scene, but managed to achieve a very pleasing 
result with moderate on-screen deviation.

"Civil War" talk was a "must hear".  Author Bob Zeller captured the 
audience with a very interesting detailing of the problems and 
compromises behind publishing his stereo book.  The slide show that 
followed was also very interesting.  One hand-tinted picture looked 
like a modern transparency.

3D Video by Ron Labbe was great!  Ron's animation was followed by live 
interviews with Paul Wing and Bob Brackett.  I was particularly 
impressed with Bob's metalworking equipment in his basement.  It is 
rare to see a person carrying all the steps of design, manufacturing 
and marketing of a product.  Another genius in our 3d world!

George Themelis


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