P3D Re: Depth

[roberts@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (John W Roberts)]

>Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1998 15:24:33 -0600
>From: Bob_Maxey@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: P3D Depth

>>>In one paragraph, George has distilled what in my opinion is the
>>greatest deficiency in stereo photography as it is practiced today...
>>namely that the overwhelming majority of the stereo shots I've seen and
>>the stereo photographers I've met are far more concerned with the
>>depiction of depth than the creation of a fine photograph.


>I must ask this question: Isn't creating depth the biggest reason to use
>stereo in the first place? Stereo is different than flat photography, it
>has depth. We shoot for depth, we like depth, depth is what we do. The
>ability to convey depth is what adds to a fine photograph, and I cant see
>why somehow would think that by being concerned with depth is somehow
>wrong. 

Depth can be portrayed in stereo photography more easily than in 2D
photography. Color can be portrayed better using color photography than
using black and white photography. But when I take color photos, I don't
think "showing color is the biggest reason to use color photography" -
I portray color where I can, but I wouldn't feel bad about taking a color
photograph of a scene with little or no color. Similarly, I wouldn't
feel compelled to select subjects for stereo photography that show (or
emphasize) depth, though I enjoy the ability to portray depth. In other
words, the stereo photographer shouldn't be limited in choice of subjects
by a perceived need to emphasize depth.

To draw from the two quotes above, it's possible to "be concerned with depth"
without being "far more concerned with the depiction of depth than the 
creation of a fine photograph".

A more interesting issue might be "why should I ever take a 2D photograph?".
There are some photos that will turn out better in 2D than in 3D, and in
some scenes there may be problems with excessive depth, but other than that 
I think most of the reasons would be related to cost, convenience, ready 
availability of equipment and processing, and so on. 

I *do* often like to take stereo photos that emphasize depth, but I don't
consider that to be a requirement for good stereo photography.

John R


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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 2949
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