P3D Why record sound in the first place?

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

The reason I got the minidisc recorder/player is to make recordings to
accompany my stereo slides and possibly my stereo slide shows.  Given that
my approach to stereo basically is that of a snapshooter, my approach to
stereo sound recordings follows the same steps:  

I was there, I saw this and listened to that.  

I do not envision grand audiovisual productions like some of you have in
mind, where superb stereo images are accompanied by superb stereo sound
recordings.  I was mainly thinking of spontaneous stereo audiovisual
recordings for my own enjoyment and possibly that of others who enjoy this
kind of thing.

For example, consider my good friend Bill Walton who likes to stereo
photograph famous personalities.  He has created unique stereo images, not
found anywhere else.  Wouldn't it be nice to have a good recording of the
persons' voice to accompany the image?  I am sure there are many audio
recordings and no stereoscopic recordings so what Bill is doing is great,
but, if not more, just for his own enjoyment and satisfaction it would be
nice to have a good quality binaural recording of this person during the
interview or encounter (maybe he does that, I don't know.)

During our last OSPS meeting (where a binaural recording did take place!
he, he, he) club member Ron Fross suggested sticking the two microphones at
the two ends of my stereo camera...  Now, that's an idea!!!  :-)

And here is another story, example of why I need these audio recordings.  I
was in Toronto attending the PSA convention and my family joined me on
Saturday and stayed overnight.  Sunday morning we heard weird sounds like a
drum playing in the parking lot.  Looking out, it was clear that something
unusual was going on.  I grabbed my camera bag and in zero time I was out
in the parking lot.

Apparently, there was an Indian wedding ceremony (as from India) going on
right in the parking lot.  The groom was on a horse.  The guests dancing
around.  A drummer was playing traditional beats.  Lots of color.
Traditional dresses.  And that sound!  What a wonderful event!  People were
having a good time.  I was in a state of euphoria myself. 

Now this is something that needs to be recorded.  Without hesitation I
pulled out the S1 and, as expected, shot a dozen rolls in half an hour
(just kidding -just one!)  

The stereo pictures turned out great!  It was a nice event and I have a
visual record of it.  BUT, I do NOT have an audio record because I did not
have a recorder with me.

I was thinking of putting these slides into a small stereo slide sequence.
It would be great to have the sound to go with it.  I talked to a few
Indian friends.  Apparently, this ceremony is found in certain parts of
Northern India.  There must be some way to find the songs the drummer was
playing.  But why go into much trouble to get something that might not
match the actual experience when it would have been simple to just record
it in situ in a good quality binaural recording?

This is the mistake I am trying to correct.  From now on I will be carrying
my very compact minidisc recorder (which was my Christmas Present, BTW...
Christmas came early for the Themelis' family! :-)

Don't be surprised it you see two little microphones sticking out of my
stereo camera next time (or from a hat, or eyeglasses...)

Viva la audio visual 3d!

George Themelis