P3D I saw the Future - Part I

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

Some explanations are due from my side... I am really concerned about 
the future of stereo slides... There are a number of trends that push 
people away from stereo slides.  

One is the availability of slide film and its declining use among 
photographers in general.  The average Joe has not used and will never 
use slide film.  Many beginners in stereo feel very uncomfortable 
about using slide film.  They don't know what it is, where to buy it, 
how to process/handle it.  Their natural reaction is to do stereo 
prints.  And unless someone guides them to a different direction, 
that's what they will do.

The other issue is the trend towards digital photography...  The final 
output of digital photography (outside the computer) is paper.  Cheap 
computers and near-photographic quality printers are available today. 
 Prices of film scanners have dropped considerably.  This allows 
people to scan slides or negatives so they can manipulate them and 
output them in print.  Film recorders (which would allow them to 
output the images in slide or negative film) are still beyond reach.

Unless something unexpected happens, there is no question in my mind 
that 35 mm slide film (small size transparent medium) is heading to 
extinction and prints (large size reflected material) to world 
domination.  And this reflects to stereo photography.  Stereo slides 
are heading to become "a thing of the past". 

In my mind, Bill Walton is speeding up a process that sooner or later 
will happen.  Only it is happening sooner rather than later.  I have  
no doubt that one day even *I* will be doing stereo prints!  That's 
when, thanks to digital technology, I can output my slides not in near 
but in TRUE photographic quality prints... Heck, if everyone is 
playing this game, I can play it too!

So stereo prints will replace stereo slides and I will be part of the 
game... Why am I worried?  

I will explain in a second...

George Themelis


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