P3D PSA Conference Report - Part I

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

Thanks Steve for the report!

We (Jim Motley and myself) left around noon on Wednesday for Toronto.
About a 6 hour drive for us.  We stayed at the Delta Hotel, right where
the action was.  We attended all the stereo division events:

- Presentation of the PSA International Exhibition (I had two acceptances)
- Judging of the stereo image of the year (I had 3 entries on this)
- Dale Walsh's "Sacred Sites" (excellent narration!)
- Sequence Exhibition (many good programs!)
- Al Sieg's Polar Bear program (fantastic photography using anything
  from 35mm in a stereo camera to 600mm lenses in twin cameras separated
  many feet apart)
- Alan Griffin's selection of best stereo (learn from the master!)
- Robert Leonard's et al. "Tourists in Paradise" (about the Cannes 
  Film Festival and Monaco - fascinating!)
- Scott and Andrea Blair's blacklight show (I missed Andrea's 
  workshop on Wednesday but she was nice enough to share all their
  secrets which I will need for the Detroit "Geometry" assignment!)
- Selections from 9 Canadian Sterographers (very good photography)
- M-F Brasquies' travel photography (selections from PSA folios)
- Stereo "Luncheon & Learning" and "Awards Dinner"

Plus a couple of non-stereo events (I attended a program on Photoshop
for Beginners -learned a lot!- and, of course, the Model Shoots)
I skipped a few programs to mount my stereo pictures from Greece
that I took with me in the convention.  So I spent my evenings 
finishing mounting (about a dozen rolls) and transferring about
100 of the best stereo pictures in RBT mounts.

As expected, we had a great time!  The PSA convention is a place to
learn and see good photography.  The Stereo Division attracts only
about 50-60 members.  The shows are in a smaller room (compared to
the NSA conventions) with a smaller projection screen, which makes
for a more "family-like" atmosphere.  Without any pressure to buy
or sell 3D goods, there is more time to socialize, talk, listen
and learn.

This year I spent a good amount of time talking to Allan Griffin,
the Australian stereo legend.  Steve said it well: "a charismatic 
individual. He was fun and magnetic guy to be around.  Eagerly shares 
his knowledge and experience and is just one of the most enthusiastic 
people I've ever met."  I must add that I also appreciated his
straight forward manners and honesty.  If he does not like something,
he will say it out loud and straight with very little effort to be
"diplomatic".  This might hurt some people's feelings but it is 
clear that Allan does not have any personal self-centered motives,
but he is only concerned about the present state and future of
stereo photography.  His honesty, enthusiasm and energy are really 
unmatched.  Now I know what I would like to be when I grow up.... :-)

There were many other people I enjoyed meeting and talking too
but will not try to list all the names because I am afraid I
will forget a few...

To be continued.... - George Themelis