P3D I saw the Future - Part II

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

Bill Walton is happy to report that, today, for the first time since 
1974, there are more print makers than slide makers in the 
Stereoscopic Society of America.  He is also happy to say that the 
number of stereo print PSA exhibitions is going up.  And he wants to 
see the last "holdouts" fall down.  He wants to see the day where all 
PSA exhibitions which used to be "slides only", be "slides and 
prints", plus he has no problem with "print only" exhibitions.  

I am sure that he will soon see that day.  But did anyone mention that 
the number of slide stereo makers and stereo slide exhibitions is 
declining?  Is anybody concerned about that?

My predictions:  In 3-5 years from today the number of stereo view 
makers will be equal to the number of stereo slide makers.  In 5 years 
there will be more stereo card PSA exhibitions than slide exhibitions. 
And in 10 years people just like Bill Walton today will be fighting 
to promote stereo slides and save them from extinction.

Now, why am I worried?   I am not worried that stereo prints are 
gaining wider acceptance. I am worried that one day stereo slide 
photography, the great treasure inherited from the 50s, might be 
history... A collector's item, a curiosity.  Not a living and
practicing form of stereoscopic imaging.

And that's sad because stereo slides in a viewer offer a superior 
visual experience.  Anyone who has seen a sharp Kodachrome in a 
well-lit quality viewer can testify to this.  I hate to see this gem 
go away... I hate to see a whole new generation growing up without 
ever experiencing the well-made stereo slide.

Next:  The solution to save the stereo slides...

George Themelis


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