Mirror stereographs - viewing pictures stereoscopically

There are many means of presenting printed stereoscopic pictures: side by side (for both parallel or cross-eyed viewing), over and under, and anaglyphic using different colored inks. These methods, except for side by side which can be free-viewed, require some sort of viewer or special glasses. Of course, we can't forget random dot stereographs, which are the latest stereographic fad, but not really suited to conventional stereoscopic photography.

Another time-tested method, mirror stereographs, requires only a small household mirror to view the stereoscopic images. As its name implies, one of the images must be a mirror of the 2-D one. After deciding on the images to be used, either print them yourself or have your processor print them following your directions. The right side negative needs to be flopped in the enlarger and printed with the film emulsion up. Both images need to be the same size and printed relatively small, as big enlargements require a big mirror.

To view the images stereoscopically, place them next to one another, mirror image on the right, with a small gap between them. Then take a mirror, somewhat larger than one of the images, and stand it on edge between the images, reflecting side to the right. Look at the left image with the left eye and the mirror reflection of the right image with the right eye (see diagram). Adjust the angle of the mirror until the images fuse and appear in 3-D. If you wear glasses you may have to raise the mirror to be able to focus the images.

The mirror image can be either negative. I use the right image because it works best for my vision.

COPYRIGHT 1996 Photographic Society of America, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group