This is kind of cool. In amongst the photos I took during last weekend’s trip to West Somerset (walk report here), I found two shots which show a piece of Dunster Castle. Quite by chance they form a stereo pair, which means you ought to be able to view this image in 3D. [read comments]
To make the 3D effect work, start with your head about 15 inches from the screen. Slowly begin to cross your eyes so that the pair of Xs in the foreground line up and overlap. Then freeze; after a few seconds your brain should recalibrate to this new way of seeing. Don’t worry if you see 3 images – ignore the outer two and just concentrate on the middle one. It helps if you shield your peripheral vision by cupping your hands around your eyes.
Once you’ve lined up the first X, the second should appear further back up the hill. Now can you see the castle in 3D? You’ll know you’ve got it when the bottom X appears to sink back into the shrubbery. The top X should float somewhere above the bushes.
With a little bit of patience and practice, and as long as you’re not wearing glasses, it should work. When it does, it’s pretty nifty! The individual leaves and tree branches jump out of the picture, giving you a sense of the image’s true depth. Hint: relax your eyes and don’t try to focus too hard. Also try varying your distance from the screen a bit.
If you want more help on how to view a stereo pair, try this page for more thorough instructions. Or watch this 3D animation I made here.
More pics from this trip here.
— DW
ps please leave a comment letting me know if you can see it or not – I’d be interested to hear what proportion of readers it’s working for
Responses to this topic: 9
Tim said in 10-16-2007 @ 10:55:07
Hey David — first you make me seasick with all your ‘artisitic’ + very t^i-l_t-y camera angles — now you’re trying to make me go BLIND too! — with this latest assault on what’s let of my senses — a cross-eyed, 3-d optical illusion on my computer? You sure you don’t want me to hop on one foot while I view the screen too? Hey, I have trouble enough being TWO dimensional!
Tim said in 10-16-2007 @ 12:01:38
I had to leave another response.
I just couldn’t bear seeing that headling “1 responses to this topic.” — By leaving this second comment, I’m assuming that heading will change itself to be grammatically correct. We survived the Y2K turnover, but in 2007, there’s no way for technology to catch up with 200 year old grammar? Just call me Mr. Sunshine.
David Wenk said in 10-16-2007 @ 12:04:10
There is a way. There’s a PHP fix but I haven’t got around to it yet. Hang on a minute …
David Wenk said in 10-16-2007 @ 12:07:55
There. I flipped it around. Is that better? Best I can do without messing with the PHP.
D
JeffreyD said in 10-16-2007 @ 17:32:04
I see it—but then I’ve never had trouble with this technique.
How far apart were these pictures taken? The front bushes seem a little blurry or out of sorts.
This technique would be fun to try.
David Wenk said in 10-16-2007 @ 17:53:37
Oh good – thanks for the confirmation Jeffrey. Front bushes are pretty well in focus for me (within the limits of my camera, which is just a little 4 megapixel job).
For me, the front X is kind of set back into the bushes, with some of the vegetation overhanging it, whereas the other background X appears to float in midair above the bushes.
Unfortunately, I can’t remember where I positioned the camera for the two shots, but they can’t have been taken much more than a few inches apart.
I’m definitely trying this again next time I go out, maybe on macro setting …
DW
sue h said in 10-16-2007 @ 23:02:37
Wow! I have a few friends who’d like to see this! V. nice – and by accident, too! Macro would be good… It worked for me, BTW, first time without a stereoscope!!
—sue h
Adam G. said in 10-18-2007 @ 16:01:25
David — quite cool — it works. Excellent (thorough) description of how to make it work, and also how to know when you’re on the right track for seeing stereoscopically.
Chris F said in 10-19-2007 @ 11:23:43
Haha! Thought I wouldn’t be able to see this as I’m a bit long-sighted. After a few seconds, the whole thing snapped into focus. Amazing what the old brain can do, isn’t it?