P3D Re: Mathphobia rationalized

[George Gioumousis <georggms@xxxxxxxxxx>]

> 
> If you want to get very FEW stereo images, but every one of them to be 
> precise, optically, and mathmatically correct, follow Tom's teachings. 
> If you want to get good to better than average (and more) stereo images 
> AND have fun while doing it, follow the advice of George Themelis, Bob 
> Maxey, and many others we have seen here on P3D. Join a stereo club or 
> an organization that supports stereo (PSA, NSA, ISU, SSA, etc.). Join 
> study groups and circuits. Listen to the advice of others. And practice, 
> practice, practice.
> 
> Humbly submitted (amongst the fire and brinmstone)
> 
> Andrea S. Blair
> asblair@xxxxxxxxxxx
> 

As someone who has taken stereo slides since 1971, and who often 
does math for fun, I find Andrea's advice hard to accept for myself.

I don't doubt that it is possible to take good pictures without much
theory. In fact, there is stochastic photography, where one shoots at
random (using up lots of film), and discards the poor images. Then I
know a young lady who once told me "I like to give extra exposure to
get a richer image" and another time said "I shoot Tri-X at 800".

Ansel Adams makes quite a point of using theory and experiment to
establish proper exposure. He also has some very good advice on 
the relationship between focal length and distance to get a natural
appearance. If he considers these as worthy of study, who are we to
say "don't bother".

                           BS Chem               BS Chem
George Gioumousis           /---\        |       /---\ 
                             o o         |       o o  
georggms@xxxxxxxxxx           |          |         |   
(650) 494-6276              \===/        |       \===/ 
                           MS Math               MS Math  


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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 2937
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