P3D Re: 3D Headaches and Ambitions

[Bruce Springsteen <bsspringsteen@xxxxxxxxx>]

I haven't found the 3D SI here yet (in a college town - imagine that!),
but knowing Boris to be a big booster for and emerging expert on good
anaglyphic 3D (comparable to Kesner's zeal for good slide mounting) and
knowing him also, as I am, to be a true first-wave fan of David Klutho's
astounding sports stereographs (Boris could barely contain his enthusiasm
for Dave's entries as he judged in the viewcard exhibition at NSA Green
Bay), I plan to take Starosta's critical review very seriously and in the
spirit I know he intends - the improvement and broad public acceptance of
stereographic imagery, especially in mass print media.

So to further break the ice, I'll admit I am leery of the rather obvious
and "cute" decision to do the swimsuit issue for a first outing.  Klutho's
stop-action sports stereography is where the real excitement lies - he
certainly doesn't need help from a bunch of soggy super-models to pop your
eyes open - so SI's decision seems to smack of a one-shot gimmick, at
least until we see where this leads.  If stereo cheesecake is the goal, we
should get Boris to coordinate a phantogram centerfold for "Playboy".  
Now *that* would be an instant collectible!

If stereography in mass media will succeed, it has to get past both the
novelty and headache barriers.  That means:

Subject matter that the public will consider "serious".  Not just friendly
anatomy lessons on the beach, as enjoyable as they may be.

Technical presentation that is as good as possible, or at least not
painful or annoying to view.

Whether it can overcome the stereo-blindness barrier is another question. 
Many people just don't see 3D well or at all, but exposure and practice
seem to help at least a little.

It's been suggested that stereo is "the fad that refuses to permanently
catch on" (except among a small group of incurable fiends, of which we
here are a sample).  Starosta and Klutho and others are in the vanguard of
the current effort to permanently elevate print stereography into the
common visual culture.  Can this ever succeed, and how should it be tried?
 Interesting questions, very worth a good airing on P3D.  But none of
these questions should diminish the successful effort - a coup really -
that David has made, and the contributions from apparently many people in
that effort.  This is a community project after all - congratulations to
each of you!

Admiringly,
Bruce
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