[photo-3d] Re: Insane suggestions for beginners

[mramstad@xxxxxxxxxx]

"Insanity" finally a topic I know something about.  My first stereo shot was taken
using the "Cha Cha" method.  After getting the results from my first roll and
noticing some problems  with the alignment and stereo base, I decided to make a
beamsplitter for digital video cameras.  This project lasted quite a while as I
struggled to design the splitter so that it wouldn't interfere with the auto-focus
of the camera.  I also worked to get the left and right sides well aligned.

However, as I worked to improve the alignment of the left and right images, it
occured to me that in the digital world, it should be easy and inexpensive in
principle to correct for misalignment using software.  Throughout this time, I
worked on developing a viewer for viewing the images on either a computer screen
or a TV.

Now that I have the viewer and software, I have gone back to the "Cha Cha"
method.  The reason being that I like to vary the stereo base considerably and
haven't had the time or money to figure out how to twin two cameras together.  The
problems with alignment and stereo window don't seem as bothersome now that I have
a proper viewer.

Of course, if my goal was to take great stereo images, I probably would have moved
on to other techniques a long time ago.  My goal has been to try to develop
equipment which makes stereo photography easy for beginners.  It has been an
intentional part of my strategy to remain a beginner as much as possible.  Despite
my efforts, I have noticed that my perspective has shifted over time and I'm not
sure that my perspective is still that of a beginner if it ever was.


Monte

http://www.pokescope.com
Dr Monte Ramstad
Graphic Media Research
211 Ridgecrest Drive
Cannon Falls, MN 55009
USA
Phone 507-263-4611