[photo-3d] Dunkley Effect (was Re: do you believe it?)

[boris@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

>   Date: Sun, 15 Oct 2000 10:39:01 -0000
>   From: "Kenneth J. Dunkley" <KenDunkley@xxxxxxx>
...
>point. Also, I've expanded the information contained on other pages.
>
>Go to www.3-dvg.com and click on "visual self test"
>
>And finally, for Ron, Sergio and other members who have been
>unsuccessful ... HERE IS MY FINAL OFFER |:-). I will send you a set
>of pinholes if you send me a self addressed and stamped envelope. Let
>me know by email if you intend to respond I will give you my mailing
>address.


About two years ago, I tried the www-self-home-brew method of seeing the
"Dunkley" effect using just some pieces of paper into which I cut crude
pinholes.  After some correspondence with him, Ken sent me his introductory
package, including the pinhole viewer.  At that time I promised to review
it and report to the list.  Just now I realized that I have put this off
for way too long!  My apologies to Ken.

Ken Dunkley is not a 3d con artist, as it may first appear given his
process to instantly "convert any magazine picture to 3d!"  He is an
inventor and accomplished holographic artist.  He knows his stuff!  Perhaps
one should clarify his effect as that of an interesting illusion, but
particularly interesting to people who are into stereoscopy and optics.

The 3-DVG kit he sent me was well prepared.  A nicely constructed pinhole
viewer is accompanied by extensive literature, including a reprint of Ken's
1993 SPIE paper on the effect.  If nothing else, you will get a little
education in some unusual optical effects, human vision, and patents
regarding same.

The effect works fairly well with me, although as the literature indicates,
this will vary with image content.  Part of this is the chromostereopsis -
one of four mechanisms described that make the effect work - which makes
blue appear relatively farther away than red.  If the picture's colors
support chromostereopsis, and other depth cues are present in the content
(perspective, objects of known size, etc.), then the effect is convincing.
It works best on very sharp, highly detailed pictures (such as in a high
quality magazine) - ideally landscapes.

But the Dunkley Effect should not be confused with processes occasionally
advertised on this list, that promise to convert flat pictures into
stereoscopic pictures.  It doesn't do that.  It just gives you a sense of
depth, which feels stereoscopic, which is uncanny and gets you to thinking
about all the things OTHER than stereoscopic input that influence your
mind's perception of depth.

Sincerely,

Boris



- There are three types: those who make things happen,
-                        those who watch things happen,
-                    and those who ask, what happened?
-
-                                     - heard recently

Boris Starosta, principal             boris@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Dynamic Symmetry, LLC                 http://www.starosta.com
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