3D Trends

Wildlife in 3D

George Themelis (aka DrT)

This presentation is about photographing “wildlife” in 3D. My definition of “wildlife” is animals that cannot be approached closely. This includes animals in the wild, but also animals around the house (birdfeeders, etc.) or animals in captivity (zoo). These pictures are best captured with twin cameras and long focal length lenses. I will discuss different cameras and mounting configurations and show examples of wildlife pictures taken with them. I will also show other uses of this rig (portraits, long distance action), as well as alternatives using normal lenses (remote firing, extreme cropping, etc.).

Community

Show & Tell / Ask Special: Modern Viewers

featuring you!

This months Show & Tell / Ask is a special themed one: It’s all about modern Viewers.
We want to see the new generation of equipment our community uses to view stereos! From newly designed stereoscopes or handheld viewers to cutting-edge 3D displays, virtual reality headsets, or even viewers integrated into your camera. Whatever you have to offer! We’re looking forward to exploring the space of viewer technology with you and inspiring each other! If you have a device you’d like to share, please bring it along!

Meeting Info

At the meeting time, click the red button on vsc3d.com. Please use a nickname corresponding with your subscription so that we can identify you in the waiting room. If you should experience problems accessing the meeting page, just send us a short message to contact@vsc3d.com and we will send you the direct link for the current meeting.

Interested in presenting at one of our meetings? Sign up here.

History

Sold On Stereo: Commercial 3‑D in the 1950s

Eric Drysdale

A short documentary on the use of 3‑D slides as a sales tool in the U.S. during the 1950s peak of the stereo photography craze, featuring amazing images from Eric’s collection and others. Then, during the zoom, Eric will show-and-tell some particularly interesting examples, share more about his collecting, and answer your questions. The short was written and directed by Eric and co-produced with Ron Labbe. Originally presented as an extra feature on the 3‑D Film Archive’s 2021 release, “Dynasty!” Recently selected as NSA 3‑D Con, 2025 Winner of the Stereo Theater award for Best Slideshow of Historical Photography.

3D Trends

One Shot, Dual Perspectives

Guenter Pomaska

It may seem that monocular depth estimation could entirely replace the second lens in a stereo camera setup. A major advance is that the calculated stereo partner of a single image is precisely synchronized. Can pixel shifting reliably meet the visual requirements for a spatial image? This contribution investigates the conversion from monocular to stereoscopic formats using selected image material. Relevant digital image processing techniques are also covered. The central challenge: can software replace hardware is an ongoing question.

Meeting Info

At the meeting time, click the red button on vsc3d.com. Please use a nickname corresponding with your subscription so that we can identify you in the waiting room. If you should experience problems accessing the meeting page, just send us a short message to contact@vsc3d.com and we will send you the direct link for the current meeting.

Interested in presenting at one of our meetings? Sign up here.

History

Diableries: Stereoscopic Adventures in Hell

Paula Fleming

In the 1860s the French were unhappy with Napoleon III, but with no freedom of speech, couldn’t express their displeasure. They also loved all things devilish. Photography provided a perfect outlet combining these through stereos, especially tissue views. Two photographers/ sculptors, created dioramas depicting life in Hell peopled by Satan and his skeletons. Their first views were religious to bypass the censors, but soon scenes made veiled comments on the Emperor, which evolved into purely humorous views.

Community

Community Slideshow: Spooky October

featuring you!

Shops may be stacking up pumpkins and costumes, but our theme goes deeper than Halloween. We’re putting together a community slideshow with a spooky October theme — and we’d love your stereos! Send in up to 2 stereos:

• Ghosts, shadows, or anything unsettling
• Your own dark interpretation of the season
• Or even a modern twist on the famous Diableries 

Deadline: October 4th
Email submissions to: contact@vsc3d.com

Let’s gather an unforgettable collection of haunting and spine-chilling stereos to share with the group.

Meeting Info

At the meeting time, click the red button on vsc3d.com. Please use a nickname corresponding with your subscription so that we can identify you in the waiting room. If you should experience problems accessing the meeting page, just send us a short message to contact@vsc3d.com and we will send you the direct link for the current meeting.

Interested in presenting at one of our meetings? Sign up here.

3D Trends

Infrared, High Dynamic Range, and Stereo, oh my!

Wayne Karberg

This program explores combining three facets of photography.
The first facet, a brief explanation of infrared light, digital equipment requirements, and captures revealing unexpected tones made visible.
The second face, High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging, merging multiple captures at different exposures. Why to use this technique, requirements, an explanation of its function, and processing will be briefly covered.
The third facet, stereo imaging, combined with the first two facets! Examples will be shown that unveil the “drama of the unexpected”.

3D Trends

Four Macro Rigs and a Tiny Studio

Jim Metcalfe

Jim Metcalfe outlines some of the macro camera rigs he’s developed over the years, plus some sample images from each. Three of the four cameras use a half-silvered mirror to bring the camera lenses close together, and two of the cameras use Raspberry Pi computers to control the image sensors.
He also shares a few images of the tiny studio he uses to construct some images.

Meeting Info

At the meeting time, click the red button on vsc3d.com. Please use a nickname corresponding with your subscription so that we can identify you in the waiting room. If you should experience problems accessing the meeting page, just send us a short message to contact@vsc3d.com and we will send you the direct link for the current meeting.

Interested in presenting at one of our meetings? Sign up here.

Photographer Spotlight

Bugs in 3D Macro

Oktay Akdeniz

Oktay Akdeniz shares his journey into the world of 3D macro photography — from building custom tools to exploring optical concepts and creating immersive visuals. The talk concludes with a 3D video made using his handmade equipment.

Community

Community Slideshow – Street Life

featuring you!

Experience everyday moments captured by our members in this vibrant collection of street photography. Honest, raw, and full of life — these images reveal the rhythm of public space from around the world.
To participate — send us up to two 3D steet photography images in Side-By-Side Format to contact@vsc3d.com until Friday, July 4th.

Meeting Info

At the meeting time, click the red button on vsc3d.com. Please use a nickname corresponding with your subscription so that we can identify you in the waiting room. If you should experience problems accessing the meeting page, just send us a short message to contact@vsc3d.com and we will send you the direct link for the current meeting.

Interested in presenting at one of our meetings? Sign up here.

History

What is the Verascope? – A New Jules Richard Autograph

Pascal Martiné

Many sources allow thorough research into historical stereo cameras. 

But what the inventors of the time themselves considered particularly remarkable can usually only be reconstructed — because they themselves do not speak to us. Or do they?

Between 1993 and 2001, the Frenchman Jacques Perin published three remarkable volumes about one of the pioneers of stereo photography: Jules Richard, the inventor of the Verascope and Taxiphote. The first volume contains a complete transcription of an extensive autograph in which Jules Richard himself writes about his invention. He was 72 years old at the time.

It is thanks to chance that a further, previously unknown autograph has now emerged, shorter indeed, but considerably older and with a different focus. This will be presented to the public for the first time during the lecture. 

3D Trends

A.I. Riffing on Victorian Owl Viewers

Chris Casady

When AI meets 19th-century optical design, the results can be unexpectedly delightful. Chris Casady explains: “When I asked the AI image generator DALL-E3 to combine the motifs of 19th century optical devices with stereoscopes and owls (in honor of Brian May) it came up with some very creative and fun juxtapositions worth sharing. The results take the form of vintage still life tableaus as you might expect from still life painting of that era, but with strange owl looking optical devices.”

They were converted to 3D with another AI tool Luminosity formerly LeiaPix and hand work was done on each depth map in Photoshop to perfect the 3D and correct errors. Beyond that Chris credits only an intelligence more artificial than his.

Meeting Info

At the meeting time, click the red button on vsc3d.com. Please use a nickname corresponding with your subscription so that we can identify you in the waiting room. If you should experience problems accessing the meeting page, just send us a short message to contact@vsc3d.com and we will send you the direct link for the current meeting.

Interested in presenting at one of our meetings? Sign up here.

History

Scotland — The Cradle of Stereoscopy

Dr. Peter Blair

The commercial take-off of stereoscopy was due to the ingenuity and enthusiasm of Sir David Brewster, Principal of St Andrews in Scotland. By 1856 Brewster could claim that 500,000 of his stereoscopes had been sold and 3D had become by far the most popular format of photograph. Scottish photographers were early adopters of the technology, with George Washington Wilson already exhibiting stereoscopic photographs in 1853. His work became a benchmark against which other photographers were measured. Around 200 Scottish stereo-photographers have been identified and a selection of their best work will be displayed.

Community Slideshow

Animals

VSC Members

As always, our community slideshow features stereo images taken by our community members. It’s still time to submit yours!

Submission Guidelines:

• Theme: ANIMALS
• Format: Side-by-side (SBS) parallel view
• Maximum entries: Up to two stereo images per participant
• Submission deadline: April 5th
• Send your entries to: contact@vsc3d.com

We encourage all members to participate, whether by submitting images or simply joining us to appreciate the work of others.

Meeting Info

At the meeting time, click the red button on vsc3d.com. Please use a nickname corresponding with your subscription so that we can identify you in the waiting room. If you should experience problems accessing the meeting page, just send us a short message to contact@vsc3d.com and we will send you the direct link for the current meeting.

Interested in presenting at one of our meetings? Sign up here.

3D Trends

Stereoscopy for Hollywood films: The good, the bad, and the vertical misalignment

Nicolas Casanova

Nicolas Casanova, Stereoscopic Supervisor for 3D blockbuster films shares insights into the process used by Hollywood studios and his hobby of taking sequential stereo photography.

Photographer Spotlight

Ancient Wonders & Modern Views: Rhodes in 3D

Vanessa Grein

Vanessa Grein will take you on a virtual holiday. Her presentation will be featuring stereo photographs from her recent trip to Rhodes, Greece in May 2024. This collection captures the island’s ancient ruins, medieval architecture and stunning coastal views in a way that brings history to life.
Through 3D imagery you will experience Rhodes from a unique perspective, blending its rich past with present-day charm.

Meeting Info

At the meeting time, click the red button on vsc3d.com. Please use a nickname corresponding with your subscription so that we can identify you in the waiting room. If you should experience problems accessing the meeting page, just send us a short message to contact@vsc3d.com and we will send you the direct link for the current meeting.
Interested in presenting at one of our meetings? Sign up here.

Photographer Spotlight

Miscellaneous Hyperstereo Adventures

Quinn Kinata

The topic of this talk will be about my journey from astro to stereophotography, the creation and control of a hyperstereo rig, and a naive approach to editing and compiling terabytes of photos into timelapse videos. Going forward I hope to optimize and automate my processing workflow such that it is done in real time without interruption.

Community

Show & Tell / Ask

featuring you!

During our Show & Tell / Ask, everyone can show a personal 3D item. This can be a treasure of your collection, a stereo photo, or anything 3D related. We can’t wait to see you and your cool stuff! You don’t need to tell us in advance if or what you want to show, just come along! Additionally you can ask questions, or simply discuss anything related to our shared passion.

Meeting Info

At the meeting time, click the red button on vsc3d.com. Please use a nickname corresponding with your subscription so that we can identify you in the waiting room. If you should experience problems accessing the meeting page, just send us a short message to contact@vsc3d.com and we will send you the direct link for the current meeting.

Interested in presenting at one of our meetings? Sign up here.

Photographer Spotlight

Let’s put this little monkey in 3D!

Christian Heymans

I am an animator/illustrator from Belgium and I’m mostly doing children illustrations. I created a little monkey called Sponjo. After buying a 100 years old stereoscope, I decided to manually adapt my illustrations of Sponjo in stereoscopic 3d and print them so that they would fit my old stereoscope. This is the work I’d like to show you today!

Community Slideshow

my best …

VSC Members

As we look back on a fantastic year, we’re excited to announce our upcoming 2024 Stereo Photo Challenge! This is your chance to showcase your favorite stereo photo of the year with our community. Whether it’s a moment that brought you joy, captured an incredible scene, or showcased your creative skills, we’d love to see it!
Send us up to two stereo images you shot in 2024 to contact@vsc3d.com until Saturday, December 7th.
All participants will be entered in a raffle for a chance to win one of three Cartoscopes at the end of the meeting.

Meeting Info

At the meeting time, click the red button on vsc3d.com. Please use a nickname corresponding with your subscription so that we can identify you in the waiting room. If you should experience problems accessing the meeting page, just send us a short message to contact@vsc3d.com and we will send you the direct link for the current meeting.

Interested in presenting at one of our meetings? Sign up here.

Photographer Spotlight

Stereo Photos from Nepal and India

Leslee Sheu

I will share highlights from my collection of stereo slides from trips to Tibetan-settled areas in Nepal (1998) and India (2001). I will explain a little about the Nimslo 3D Quadra Lens camera that I used, which is actually intended for lenticular prints!

Community

Show & Tell / Ask Special: Stereo Cameras and Rigs

featuring you!

This months Show & Tell / Ask is a special one: It’s all about Stereo Cameras and Stereo Rigs. This means every item gets more time than usual (5–7 minutes) including best practises, examples and time for questions.
If you would like to share your experience with a certain camera or setup, just write us a quick line to contact@vsc3d.com, so we can make sure that your camera isn’t already covered by another person.
If you recently ran into any issues with your own equipment or if you plan on buying a stereo camera, join us with your questions!

Meeting Info

At the meeting time, click the red button on vsc3d.com. Please use a nickname corresponding with your subscription so that we can identify you in the waiting room. If you should experience problems accessing the meeting page, just send us a short message to contact@vsc3d.com and we will send you the direct link for the current meeting.

Interested in presenting at one of our meetings? Sign up here.