P3D Re: San Francisco area

["Greg Wageman" <gjw@xxxxxxxxxx>]

From: Oleg Vorobyoff <olegv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>


>The photographs are great.  But never having experienced it before, I
>was quite disappointed with the computer stereo.  The apparent depth
>of the cards was about two inches forward and two inches behind the
>monitor screen.  The forward parts of the images were confusing since
>they were usually in conflict with the frame of the monitor.  Is there
>some inherent limitation in the medium that prevents one from seeing
>more depth?  I would like to see an apparent depth of perhaps twelve
>inches behind the screen.  Possible?


It is not only possible,  but it has been done!  If you ever obtain your
own LC shutter glasses, please visit the Vrex 3D Expo at
http://www.3dexpo.com/, there are many fine images with great depth
there.

I really hate to "toot my own horn" as it were, but for an example, have
a look at:

    http://www.3dexpo.com/gallery/gallery_wageman/04.htm

I think this image has the kind of depth you're looking for?  (Be aware
that, like conventional stereo projection, the apparent depth increases
with your distance from the screen.)

>The resolution of the computer images was also poor - the actual
>stereo cards are much sharper.  Resolution can easily be improved with
>better monitors and larger image files.  But it looks like a long
>time, if ever, before computer images approach the experience of
>viewing color slides in a hand viewer.


I haven't yet seen the particular exhibit in question, but it's on my
list to visit.  It's unfortunate if the scanning and/or display is done
poorly, but I'll reserve comment until I see it myself.  But let me
assure you that, under the right conditions, the computer display of
stereoscopic images can easily give color slides a run for the money, IF
you can get full-resolution (i.e. 1024x768 or better), page-flipped
images, which are currently highly hardware- (e.g. display card,
monitor) and software- (e.g. operating system) dependent.

But even under the best of conditions, like any medium, LC shutter
glasses have their weaknesses.  "Contrasty" images can give LC shutter
displays problems with extinction (ghosting) as well as with flicker.
I'll readily admit that not all of my images at the Vrex Expo are ideal
for display using LC shutter glasses, but I chose the images based on
personal aesthetic criteria, rather than technical ones.  That is, if
you view them as parallel or cross-eyed pairs, you will not be bothered
by the above limitations.  Of course, the image size will necessarily be
significantly reduced... Ah, tradeoffs.

     -Greg W. (gjw@xxxxxxxxxx)



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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 3338
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