HOW TO - Create stereo photographs

350Px-Stereocardnycsmall
Here's how to make your old timey stereogram photographs - "Do you want to make your own stereo photographs and view your memories in amazing, full-colour, 3-dimensional detail? With one or two cameras and a tripod, you can make this happen with great success! Here's how..." [via] - Link.


Recent Entries

Comments

Oldest comments listed first.

Posted by: JAO on April 20, 2006 at 11:21 AM

I'm an amateur stereographer myself. My only real disagreement with the article would be the choice of subjects. 3D is most noticable in separating foreground from background, so the best subjects for 3D photos are items that are somewhat close to the camera set against things that are farther away.

Landscapes, at least where everything is far away, tend to make poor 3D subjects. But someone standing in front of a landscape (the infamous "here's me in front of the Eiffel Tower" shot) work much better.


Posted by: JAO on April 20, 2006 at 11:23 AM

I'm an amateur stereographer myself. My only real disagreement with the article would be the choice of subjects. 3D is most noticable in separating foreground from background, so the best subjects for 3D photos are items that are somewhat close to the camera set against things that are farther away.

Landscapes, at least where everything is far away, tend to make poor 3D subjects. But someone standing in front of a landscape (the infamous "here's me in front of the Eiffel Tower" shot) work much better.


Posted by: RobCruickshank on April 20, 2006 at 11:49 AM

I've done lots of single-camera stereo shots of people- you do have to tell them to hold still but it works just fine. And as JAO says, it makes a good shot. I'd disagree with the instructions to "toe-in" the cameras though- you will get a better stereo picture if the shots are parallel. You *eyes* will converge when viewing the shots, but the shots should be parallel. This rule can be broken sometimes whn doing macro shots against a neutral background. You can also do stereo without building anything- balance on your left foot, take a picture, then balance on your right foot and take another. (this is usallly called the Cha-Cha method.)


Posted by: bethanyvsmith on April 20, 2006 at 12:56 PM

I've found that USGS not only has some excellent 3D photographs, but they also have some great tutorials on making 3D photographs. There are some great instructions on creating anaglyphic photos in photoshop from your stereo pair.

http://3dparks.wr.usgs.gov/3Dbayarea/html/aboutthissite.htm


Posted by: infield on April 20, 2006 at 3:31 PM

I used to do 3D with two 35mm cameras. put them bottom to bottom and hold them together with two big rubber bands (I used band that held together broccoli). then just snap both shudders at the same time.

If you want to adjust for parallax you can put a narrow wedge between the two cameras from the back, I used a little piece of balsa wood. The further you push in the wedge the greater the "toe-in"


Posted by: infield on April 20, 2006 at 3:32 PM

I used to do 3D with two 35mm cameras. put them bottom to bottom and hold them together with two big rubber bands (I used band that held together broccoli). then just snap both shudders at the same time.

If you want to adjust for parallax you can put a narrow wedge between the two cameras from the back, I used a little piece of balsa wood. The further you push in the wedge the greater the "toe-in"

Who's going to post the View-Master reel how to?


Posted by: RobCruickshank on April 21, 2006 at 9:26 AM

As for viewmasters, it's certainly possible to do your own. Viewmaster made "Viewmaster Personal" cameras, and, until a few years ago, still produced the blank reels for these. Here's the info on that system:
http://www.vmresource.com/camera/camera.htm


There is an artist named Vladimir, who makes "Vladmaster" art reels with soundtracks they're absolutely wonderful- I believe she shoots the frames with a Bolex 16mm camera, rather than using a viewmaster camera. She uses custom die-cut reels, also rather than the "official" vm reels.
http://www.vladmaster.com/


Posted by: cookiedough on April 21, 2006 at 9:49 AM

Stereo photographs are fun with pin hole, too. For extra pizazz, I suggest converting an old army binocular case into your camera body--super cheap at an army surplus and easily made light-tight. How better to play on the concept of stereo vison?


Leave a comment


Subscribe to MAKE!Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

Subscribe today, save 42% and get web access to MAKE free. MAKE Digital Edition is available only to subscribers.

$34.95 / 1 year
(4 Quarterly Issues)

Subscribe now


Void your warranty, violate a user agreement, fry a circuit, blow a fuse, poke an eye out. Make: The risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things... Welcome to Make: Online!


CRAFT Maker Shed Maker Faire MAKE television
Holiday Gift Guides from MAKE
Gifts for Dads
Science and Chemistry
Gifts Under $20
More guides: Santa Claus Machines, Geek Toys for Grown Up Girls & Boys


Check out all of the episodes of Make: television

Alex Rider Dream Gadget Contest
Make: Science Room

Connect with MAKE

Be a MAKE fan on Facebook MAKE on Facebook
Visit our Facebook page and become a fan of MAKE!
MAKE on Twitter MAKE on Twitter
Follow our MAKE tweets!
MAKE Flickr Pool MAKE on Flickr
Join our MAKE Flickr Pool!
    make_tips on Twitter




    Maker SHED

    Advertise here with FM.

    Why advertise on MAKE?
    Read what folks are saying about us!

    Click here to advertise on MAKE!



    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Make: Online authors!

    Gareth BranwynGareth Branwyn
    Senior Editor


    Phillip TorronePhillip Torrone
    Senior Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Becky SternBecky Stern
    Associate Editor
    | AIM | Twitter


    Marc de VinckMarc de Vinck
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    John ParkJohn Park
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Sean RaganSean Ragan
    Contributing Writer
    | Twitter


    Matt MetsMatt Mets
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter


    Dale DoughertyDale Dougherty
    Editor & Publisher
    | Twitter


    Shawn ConnallyShawn Connally
    Managing Editor
    | Twitter


    Goli MohammadiGoli Mohammadi
    Associate Managing Editor

    Kip KayKip Kay
    Weekend Projects
    | AIM | Twitter


    Collin CunninghamCollin Cunningham
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter

    Adam FlahertyAdam Flaherty
    Contributing Writer
    | AIM | Twitter



    More contributors: Mark Frauenfelder (Editor-in-Chief, MAKE magazine), Kipp Bradford (Technical Consultant/Writer), Chris Connors (Education), Diana Eng (Guest Author), Peter Horvath (Intern), Brian Jepson (O'Reilly Media), Robert Bruce Thompson (Science Room)

    Suggest a Site!

    Current Podcast

    itunesdl.gif Weekend Project: Beetlebot Simple robot from your parts bin that avoids obstacles. Thanks go to Jerome Demers for the original article in MAKE, Volume 12. To download the Beetlebot video, click here or subscribe in iTunes. Check out the complete Beetlebot article... More...

    Get the Make: Online sent via email
    Enter your email to receive Make: Online each day:



    MAKE Fascination video series brought to you by Dow

    Make: Education
    MAKE: en EspaƱol MAKE: Japan
    Important please read


    Subscribe to MAKE Magazine!

    Recent Posts from the Craft: Blog