Stereo imagery

Every once in a while, someone asks about contributing photographs or 3D renders as stereo pairs. Just to keep the ball rolling, I will ask again.

Currently, an iStock search for stereo does not link to stereo imagery. Instead, it refers to audio and a particular nightclub. Meanwhile, at least one competing agency has started accepting images as stereo pairs, making them available at large sizes.

Here is an example of a stereo pair:



To achieve a stereo view, each eye needs to see a different image. One of the most important factors when viewing a stereo pair is viewing distance, and this pair requires a viewing distance of over two feet (less than a metre).

I'd be interested to know how many people know how to view such a pair so that the subject stands out as one 3D image. (This pair is arranged for straight-on viewing, there is no requirement to use the 'cross-eyed' method that is sometimes employed.)

For anyone interested, there is a page on my web site with links to some more examples, and a link to a handy little viewer that helps with seeing a stereo pair as one 3D image.

I know how to view these. As a matter of fact, that is my day job.


Those two images are separated too much, about twice the distance of comfortable viewing.

Thanks for the response, slobo.

Yes, there is some unnecessary space on either side of these two photos. A greater viewing distance gets over the problem.

Does your day-job include viewing aerial photographs?

yes, I am photogrammetrist.

Right. That means at least there are two of us that know what we're talking about!

RE: "...at least there are two of us..."


Which is somehow quite appropriate I'd guess if I knew what you two were talking about. Other than remembering giving myself blinding headaches stretching my eyeballs trying to find the hidden rabbits on the Nesquick container.

I can help you with that one Ted. There are no rabbits in the photograph(s)!

I have several boxes of old stereo slides. Some from the Boer War era - they used to be published and sold and were quite popular. Also a few RAF ones of bomb damage in Germany during WW2. I've noticed that at the antiques market at Clignancourt these things are now fetching quite good prices.

Have also experimented with making them myself by shifting the camera on a bracket on a tripod. A friend of mine back when I was at college did some great ones of flowers as part of his degree show 20 years ago using Kodakchrome IIRC in an old 35mm Soviet stereo camera.

(Edited on 2013-02-12 16:19:26 by bunhill)

Ah! No wonder my eyes hurt! Now I see those are angel wings.

(Edited on 2013-02-12 16:36:22 by Willowpix)

it is very obscured profession.

Yes Simon, stereo photography is about as old as photography itself, which makes it all the more surprising that so few people seem familiar with it. Particularly considering the popularity of the children's Viewmaster series, which might be the most successful application of the genre.


Good old Kodachrome II! I have used the method you describe to make stereo pairs, and I have the Pentax split pentaprism stereo attachment. Also, modern software makes it easier to make stereo pairs without resorting to a tripod or other attachment. The above stereo pair is an example.


I did a bit of photogrammetry as part of a geography course, years ago. Fascinating, the way you can measure the height of a tower based on two photographs taken, maybe, 400 feet apart.