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This page presents stereo images taken by members of SNE. Images are displayed in Left-Right-Left format to accomodate both parallel viewing (left and center images) or cross-eyed viewing (center and right images). These images are optimized for screen resolutions of 1280 x 1024 (LCD monitors) and 1152 x 864 (CRT monitors). To change your screen resolution, right-click on your desktop, click on Properties, then Settings. Move the slider to the desired screen resolution. Click Apply, and then go back to enjoy our Gallery.
To parallel-view the images, position yourself about three feet from your monitor. Focus on the left and center images. Then let your eyes diverge, as if looking at something more distant. The left and center images will merge together into one three-dimensional image. If you have difficulty, try moving closer or farther away from your monitor. This may take some practice, but once you lock in the three-dimensional image, it is easy to maintain.
Members are encouraged to submit up to five images for display on this page. Please email us for more information.
Ralph Johnston
Ron Labbe
Jay McCreery
Steven McInerny
Bill Salkin
Your two eyes viewing similar but different images together gives more benefit than just stereoscopic vision. The signal-to-noise ratio of the images is increased by a factor of the square root of 2, corresponding to about 40% more image detail. This means that subtle features in a three-dimensional image are much more noticeable than if you look at the same image as a two-dimensional (flat) photograph.
Because of this high level of image detail, the most significant commercial application of stereophotography has been aerial photographs. Stereo aerial photographs were originally shot on 9x9-inch glass negative plates, with sequential "hyperstereo" images taken with 30% overlap from low-altitude aircraft. Military spy satellites likely now use ultra-high resolution digital imagers combined with large, remotely operated zoom lenses to render license plate-sized objects in three dimensions.
High definition television picture quality is now suitable for display of photographic images. The only technological hurdle remaining to enable full-time commercial 3D television broadcasts is the need to wear glasses. Philips Electronics already sells monitors with its WOWxv technology, which does not require the viewer to wear glasses, and Philips hopes to introduce a high-definition glass-less 3D television within two years.
This will be an interesting time for stereo photography. Are we developing some of the first content to be shown on these 3D TVs? ...or will we become obsolete, since that content will primarily be computer generated? Come join the debate and contribute your own 3D content at Stereo New England.
Jay McCreery