P3D Re: Viewing Methods

["Greg Wageman" <gjw@xxxxxxxxxx>]

From: Dr. George A. Themelis <DrT-3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>


>Sharpness & contrast are viewer
>qualities.  Composition & simplicity are projection qualities.


>Again, you have to specify "best" for what?  For viewing in a
>Holmes' viewer?  For scanning and putting in the Internet?
>For making slides out of the negatives and viewing in the
>red button?  For making anaglyphs?  For viewing in the View
>Magic viewer?  My point was that the definition of "best" is
>tied to the viewing method.


This is absolutely true!

And nowhere is this easier to see than with a computer application like
DepthCharge (for example), which allows you to see the same image via
freeviewing, LC shutter, and various types of anaglyphic display, all
with a few mouse-clicks.  You'll quickly find that contrast is the enemy
of most forms of "multiplexed" stereo display (i.e. those where the left
and right images are combined in some way and must be "de-multiplexed",
or separated, by filters or shutters).

Color anaglyphs have an entirely unique set of problems related to
color, since with that medium, the filters are partially in the
"passband"; that is, they block some of the color information that ought
to be reaching the eyes.

A non-multiplexed viewing method, like a high-quality hand viewer, with
a bright light source and a sharp, contrasty slide will give the best
"wow" factor, in my opinion.  When looking through such a viewer, you
pupils contract, increasing the apparent sharpness, the resolution of
the medium is very high, the magnification is reasonably low so that
film grain and blur (and minor mounting flaws) aren't overly
exaggerated, and the available dynamic range is huge, compared to just
about any other method.  But of course it is a viewer and only one
person at a time can enjoy the experience, while optical quality varies
immensely depending on the viewer type.

Projection is just about the most challenging display medium, because of
the high magnification (50x or more), low illumination and extinction
problems with polarizers.  But it can reach large audiences in a group
situation, which is probably why finding a pair that look good in
projection can be so satisfying.  There's practically no other method
that allows for "audience participation".

Computer displays suffer from relatively low resolution (compared to
film), and LC shutter glasses "ghost" just like polarizers.  Freeviewing
on a computer monitor sacrifices even more resolution for a lack of
crosstalk, but it requires skill or viewing aids.  Dynamic range is
better than with "passive" media like prints or anaglyphs, though.

     -Greg W. (gjw@xxxxxxxxxx)





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End of PHOTO-3D Digest 3369
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