P3D Re: Stereocard to slide project

[Larry Berlin <lberlin@xxxxxxxxx>]

>Date: Sun, 4 Apr 1999 
>From: John Bradley <JB3D@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>..............
>Can I ask for readers advice on a project I
>have in mind?
>I have a collection of traditional stereocards
>of my home area taken by a wonderful turn
>of the century local photographer called
>Alfred Seaman.

****  What condition are these cards in? Do they have scratches, or
discolorations or smudges anywhere? Are they all windowed properly? How
about vertical alignment factors between L and R?


>I would like to convert some of these to slides
>and project them as a slide show, possibly
>interspersed with modern views of the same
>subject.............
>.............Because of
>the different proportions of the original print , which
>is approx. square, compared to the full frame slide
>which is rectangular, I assume I will need to crop
>the image by mounting in a smaller mount
> - Realist perhaps?

****  As you probably know, the RBT mounts of the Realist style offer
several different opening sizes. That's one very simple and direct way of
cropping. Another method involves a bit more creativity but is useful for
such tasks as making a square image fit into a rectangular hole... Observe
how I approached that challenge in my calendar project which combines stereo
photos and computer graphics.
http://www.3dzine.simplenet.com/features/galleryContents.html

If something along this line interests you, there are several ways to proceed. 

1. Shoot/sandwich approach...  

Shoot the card image through a white mask that extends outwards to the
bounds of a proportional full frame window, or whatever window you wish to
use. Then shoot your selected matte texture with a white rectangle in the
middle of it that matches in size and location the card image. Do a couple
tests to get the feeling of the alignment task and decide whether to use a
texture that overlaps the edge of the image or an image that ovelaps the
texture...  Then sandwich the two chips together. Where you've exposed film
to the white cardboard it should be almost totally clear. If your alignment
was carefully done your sandwich fills the entire chosen opening. Your
square card image is framed by additional stereo material of your choice
filliing out the rectangle. That choice could even be a current view of the
same scene!!! Or it could be a photo of leather, fabric, or anything else
complementary.

Advantage: might be if working this way seems easy to you, you go directly
from your cards to useable slides. Remember to shoot your textures and
backgrounds in stereo too! 

Disadvantage: You don't get to improve anything in the original images.
Working with the masks could be trying though you can simplify things by the
use of a jig to get each shot to align with others.

2. Computer Process...

In this method you scan the images and clean them up in the computer. You
can compose and test your matte texture content and various ways of
combining them to best effect (abstract textures, or scanned photos). Once
composed, shoot your computer screen using slide film. Or for better
resolution send the digital hi-res files for digital to film processing.
Cost can become a factor. If you're unsure if shooting your computer screen
is sufficient, take a few pictures and project them in your likely situation
and see what you think. 

I have a 17" monitor and shot several scenes from it onto slides. These were
successfully projected at NSA'97 in Seattle. I was quite happy with their
overall quality. I was not as aware of individual pixels as I had feared I
might be. Perhaps it will depend on the image content as well.

Several advantages exist to the computer route. You have more control over
the process, you get to improve or enhance the age factors possibly present
in the card images. You can easily add sepia tone or other effects to
improve your then/now presentation. Your worries about keeping the camera
aligned, and matching up masks with lighting and repeated photo shoots is
minimized.

Disadvantages are likely to be that the results won't be exactly like the
originals, but that can be one of the advantages too! Of course total
resolution is less but you can get it as high as you need for it to be in
your presentation. As always, the intended presentation determines how far
you go with resolution factors.

>...........
>3.Is a copy stand essential or can I improvise?
>This is a major concern since buying one 
>seems expensive.

*****  It's important enough to be worth improvising something that lets you
be assured of consistency in shot after shot. The more stable your work
platform, the less stress you experience in the process.

You want to make sure that the camera lens/exposure settings do not change
and the distance between the camera and each card is controlled precisely. 


>4.Choice of mounts

*****  I like RBT's...


>5.Mounting and cropping issues.

****  According to the above discussion cropping and mounting can be part of
the creative assembly process instead of merely a method of determining an
edge...

Do crop areas that seem badly damaged visually. In the computer you can fix
these if the content is important.

Do change the stereo window where it is an improvement to do so.

Do correct vertical alignment where it needs it, and crop areas at top or
bottom not common to both images that may result.

Do ask questions of someone if anything seems puzzling or doesn't work right
for you.


>6.Anything else you think I should consider,
> including any other way to go about this 
>(having someone do it for me? Using a 
>computer process instead?)
>Please note that my knowledge in this area is quite
>limited so don't worry about >insulting< me with
>points that may seem obvious.
>As always thanks in advance.
>Kind regards,
>John Bradley
>JB3D@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>

*****  Well, this last inspired the former... If you have the budget to pay
someone else, and the object is to make it easy on yourself, sure do it that
way. Get in touch privately if that's your intention. Most of all, plan on
enjoying the process and learning useful skills before you're done.

Larry Berlin

Email: lberlin@xxxxxxxxx
http://3dzine.simplenet.com/


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