The stereoscopic cinema has become, once again, a hot topic in the film production. For filmmakers to be successful in this field, a technical background in the principles of binocular perception and how our brain interprets the incoming data from our eyes, are fundamental. It is also paramount for a stereoscopic production to adhere certain rules for comfort and safety. There is an immense variety of options in the art of standard "flat" photography, and the possibilities only can be multiply with the stereo. The stereoscopic imaging has its own unique areas for subjective, original and creative control that allow an incredible range of possible combinations by working inside the standards, and in some cases on the boundaries of the basic stereo rules. The stereoscopic imaging can be approached in a "flat" manner, like channeling sound through an audio equalizer with all the bands at the same level. It can provide a realistic perception, which in many cases can be sufficient, thanks to the rock-solid viewing inherent to the stereoscopic image, but there are many more possibilities. This document describes some of the basic operating parameters and concepts for stereoscopic imaging, but it also offers ideas for a creative process based on the variation and combination of these basic parameters, which can lead into a truly innovative and original viewing experience.

Date Published: 29 February 2008
PDF: 10 pages
Proc. SPIE 6803, Stereoscopic Displays and Applications XIX, 68030U (29 February 2008); doi: 10.1117/12.766228

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6803:
Stereoscopic Displays and Applications XIX
Andrew J. Woods; Nicolas S. Holliman; John O. Merritt, Editor(s)