By Craig Kirkwood
May 31, 2002

Herbert McKay's "Three-Dimensional Photography" was first published in 1948, introducing the world to the bizarre science of stereoscopic imaging. Now, thanks to the efforts of Andrew Woods, a Research Engineer in Electronics at the Centre for Marine Science and Technology at Curtin University in Western Australia, this classic has been brought back to life as a downloadable PDF.

Mr Woods, it seems, has something of an affinity with stereoscopic imaging. Not only does it dominate his work at Curtin but he also chairs the lesser-known annual Stereoscopic Displays and Applications Conference which will next year be held at California's Santa Clara Convention Center in January.

For the curious, an explantory excerpt from Mckay's work follows but we urge you to read all 16Mb of it at the Stereoscopic Displays and Applications Virtual Library.

What is Stereography?

Stereography is a photographic technique which enables you to realize your dream of photography - reproduction of the original just as you saw it. You can easily imagine, when looking at a stereogram, that you are looking through a window at the real scene. Color, size, space, depth and distance are as clearly perceptible as when viewing the original.

Is it difficult?

It has been repeatedly demonstrated that a beginner, knowing nothing whatsoever about photography, will have a greater degree of success in stereo than in conventional photography.

Is any special skill required?

Definitely no! Anyone of average intelligence can begin to make good stereograms without special knowledge or the use of any special technique.

Is special equipment required?

Strictly speaking, no, because even a box camera may be used for making stereograms. But practically it is highly advisable to use the regular two-lens stereo camera which is in reality two cameras built into one body.

Is it expensive?

No. The film roll that will provide 20 exposures for the conventional miniature camera will provide 16 or 17 stereo pairs. The added cost will not exceed ten percent. With one camera (Personal), the 20 exposure magazine will provide 36 or 38 stereo pairs.

Is color film essential?

No. Color does add greatly to the value of the stereogram, just as it does to any photograph. However stereography has been practiced for more than a century, so naturally most of it has been in black-and-white. You can use any sensitive media you choose.

What are the limitations?

None. The normal stereo negative may be used for making single enlargements, for example. Stereo may be applied to photomicro, macro, telephoto, portraits, records, figure study, landscape, flowers, and of course to motion pictures. Stereo may be applied to any form of photography, not even excepting stroboscopic studies and X-ray.