[photo-3d] 3D photo event report

[Paul Talbot <list_post@xxxxxxxxx>]

As Michael Galazin has already mentioned, the NSA South
Central Region had a 3D photo gathering on Saturday in
Ft. Worth.  It was a great time, with Mike G. being just
one of several new faces who joined us this time.  In
fact there were so many new faces and so much going on
this year that I wasn't able to visit with many of the
new or long-time attendees, and I missed the stereo slides
projected by Mike and by Robert Linnstaedt.  :-(

A definite highlight of the day was having the opportunity
to meet P3D 'math maven' Mike Davis and to view his medium
format 3D slides.  Mike D. was just introduced to stereo
photography late last summer, so he is very new to 3D.  The
images he showed in his SaturnSlide viewer were so stunning
that they grabbed firm hold of my eyeballs and refused to
let them go!  I could scarcely stand to hand the viewer to
the next person waiting in line!  In about 5 years of being
involved with stereo photography I have seen many thousands
of stereo slides: from having visited several clubs, viewing
'Hall of Fame' and other PSA loaner sets, SSA folio images,
NSA stereo theater shows, medium format folios and expos,
and private exchanges.  Viewing Mike's photos on Saturday,
I thought I had slipped briefly into a 'parallel universe'
where the quality of 3D imaging exceeds anything I had ever
imagined possible.  During the three hour drive home this
morning my head was still spinning in wonder at the quality
of those chromes.  What am I to do now?  Rent a Dumpster to
toss my own thousands of 3D photos and start from scratch?
(I won't, but the thought did enter my mind!)

Mike uses twin Mamiya M7 IIs, and has given some detailed
info on his techniques on the MF3D list.  It is archived at:
http://www.pauck.de/archive/mailinglist/mf3d/mhonarc/msg04004.html
Mike is very humble about the 'artistic' skill that he adds to
his highly refined technical ability, but I can say his photos
show he has a very fine photographic eye to complement his near
total mastery of the science of photography.

Note: none of this is meant to suggest that Mike's techniques
are appropriate in all circumstances (nor does he apply all of
them to all his own shots).  Point-and-shoot away for family
photos and spontaneous images, by all means!  But if you've
ever been dissatisfied with the technical aspects of any of
your images (as I certainly have with mine), you may be as
excited as I am to know there is hope to achieve the quality
you seek!

The group took a minute to sing 'Happy Birthday' to Alan Lewis,
Arlington's master stereo viewer craftsman.  Alan was on hand
to show more of the amazing ideas he has been working on in his
workshop.  Thanks for giving up your birthday to help promote
3D photography, Alan!

Robert Linnstaedt, who long-time P3D readers will remember,
was on hand with a table full of goodies that I never got
to look at. Eddie Bowers attracted a crowd with his personal
Viewmaster reels, which he also projected.  Eddie caught the
spectacular display of fall color this past year at the Japanese
gardens in Dallas with his Viewmaster camera.  At the show he
was collecting names of Dallas area 3D photo hobbyists in
hopes of forming a local club.  If you are in the DFW area
and didn't make the show, or didn't sign Eddie's list, write
to him at eddieb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx  Between regional director
Bob Shotsberger's twin 2x2 projection, Eddie's Viewmaster show,
and Robert's TDC for realist format, the day covered all the
most common forms of stereo projection.  When the lights were
not down for the projectors, stereoview collectors were able
to browse several tables of antique cards.

If you are within a few hours of Austin or Dallas and missed
the event on Saturday, try to join us for the next get together,
which will be in Austin on May 5th.  Jon Golden of 3D Concepts
will be on hand (with Jan, too!) to show RBT cameras, de Wijs
viewers, and lots of other premium 3D products.  If you have not
been receiving the flyer that Bob Shotsberger mails out before
each NSA-SCR event, send your name and postal address to him at:
bshots1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Paul Talbot

 

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