P3D Stereo macros in practical terms

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

Here, I changed the subject to catch some of those who have given
up on this thread!  :-)

>Compare the formula that Bercovitz calls "the
>most accurate method" (#1), with George's 1:30 rule (#4).

Please, don't call it "George's rule"!  I have been given credit for
the sunny day rule, now the 1/30 rule, then maybe bread and butter?

If we put the math aside for a second and try and visualize recording
a stereo macro picture we will see that having to work with both near
and far distances, can be a problem.  In real-life situations our focus
is normally on one subject which usually happens to be in the near
distance.  This can be a flower, insect (bug), etc.  It is usually 
difficult to control the far objects.  The "most accurate method"
tells us that the stereo base depends both on near and far objects,
which of course makes sense since those two will determine the on-film
deviation.  Yet is is difficult for the photographer to understand why 
the far objects play any roll when all the attention is focused on the 
near objects.  Why would the background affect the stereo base?  The
1/30 rule (*not* my invention or idea - I don't even follow it!) only 
deals with the near object (or subject) so in practical terms it is 
more user-friendly.  This is just an obervation from someone who has 
actually taken macro stereos! :-)

>In person, George is a really sweet guy who I enjoyed being with. 

Thanks Tom!!!  Isn't it funny how someone can appear so different in 
person vs. email? :-)

George Themelis

PS.  I also use a lightmeter too!


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