[warrenP]

For a few years now I've been getting into a new hobby, which is 3D photography, and a while back I was thinking that 3D home theater pictures would be fun. I found this method (this is not my own method, if you search this idea you will find lots and lots of sites dedicated to 3D photography) for doing 3D without any special equipment or software. Yep, no colored glasses, no viewfinder you hold up on your face, nothing like that is needed.


Since I have an opportunity to visit several home theaters I just recently started taking snapshots to use for 3D photographs. These are normal automatic snapshots, no tripod, no white balance, basic portable camera, and nothing high end. (The technique won't change, you'll just get better pics using a better setup.)


What I'm hoping for in this thread is to share the 3D photos I have so far, post how to do this, and have some of you add your own 3D photos. It would be great to have this build up over time, as kind of a mini-gallery (similar to the "show me" threads, etc...) but with only these 3D photos. I'll keep posting here over time as I get to more theaters and I look forward to seeing other 3D home theater photos here as well.


Below is one example of what a 3D photo looks like when you don't use any special equipment, glasses, etc... Yes, it looks like two pictures that are almost identical right next to one another - you will see the 3D soon. OK, here is the example:

Don't see it yet? That's ok. You need to learn how to view this type of 3D image. In the following posts, I'll post how this works, how to see the 3D image, and how to make your own 3D photos.

 

[warrenP]

WARNING: Some folks have a difficult time with viewing 3D photos by crossing their eyes. If you have any sort of issue with your eye muscles, eye control, have had cross-eyed issues or other eye difficulties I have to suggest that you do not try this unless you discuss with your doctor. If you get headaches or become dizzy stop viewing the 3D images and rest your eyes.


Everyone gets some level of eye fatigue learning and using this technique, so simply view a few photos for a short period of time. Don't overuse your eyes! OK, if you decide to try this it is of your own free choice to do so!


One other note. There will be some people for whom this technique is simply impossible. If you are dealing with an eye disease, eye control, or other eye muscle problems then you might not be able to see the 3D images regardless of your effort.


Now that the warnings and disclaimers out of the way...


The basic principle is simple. We see the world with two eyes, but normal cameras only have one lens. In order for us to see the third dimension, we need two images. The technique here is to take two pictures and then have your brain combine them to let you see the 3D image.


The technique is simply called cross-eyed viewing. To see the 3D image, each eye needs to see a different image, just like in the real 3D world we live in. In another post I'll describe how to get the images, but for now we'll focus on how it works.


The two images you saw in the post above are very similar, but they are not exactly the same. The 3D image will "appear" as you allow each of your eyes to see one image and then let your brain combine those two images.


What your brain is doing is taking the single left eye image and the single right eye image and putting them together, just like it does all day long. The difference is you have to use your eye muscles to see the two different images. This requires some patience and some practice as you are going to have to use your eye muscles a bit differently than normal. It can take some people quite a long time to get the technique down. After time you can do it pretty much instantly.

 

[warrenP]

All righty, enough of the background how to do it. Quite simply, you are crossing your eyes until the two images align into the "new" 3D image. Essentially, you are looking at a point in space in front of your monitor, but focusing on the monitor itself. Sounds simple, but until you learn it, it can be a bit frustrating. So, here are a few methods for learning how to do it.


1. Sit squarely in front of your monitor, with the photo directly in the center of your view. You don't want to look up or down while learning this, so try to stay level with the monitor.

2. Sit at least an arm's length away from the monitor. As you are learning this, moving farther back may help. The farther you are, the less you will need to cross your eyes, but the image will obviously be smaller.

3. Keep your head level and square and begin by looking at the center of the image - this means you are starting by looking at the spot between the two individual photographs - you are not looking at one or the other - you're looking in the middle.

4. Slowly cross your eyes. This is where it can start to get confusing - keep at it!

5. For a moment, you will see 4 images (since you are crossing your eyes and each one sees both images). This means you are on the right track, it doesn't matter that they are confusing or blurry at this point since the goal isn't four images it is one clear 3D images.

6. When you get close your brain might "snap" the images together, but more likely you will need to keep using your muscles. Keep going until you have overlapped the two images and you see the single 3D image! There it is, the new 3D image has appeared between the other two normal images.

7. With practice you can get your eyes to lock into this position, which will cause far less straining and will allow you to relax yourself more. You need to relax to allow your eyes to focus on the image, as at this stage some folks will get the 3D image to line up, but not in focus. Give your eyes time to adjust and get into focus.

8. You should now have the 3D image locked in place allowing you to look around the image.

9. If you lose focus and the image falls away, just close your eyes, relax and try again. This is a new muscle use for almost everyone, and like everything else it takes practice.


Note: If your eyes seem to be straining too hard, you can try moving back from the monitor. As you move back, you need to cross your eyes less, which can relieve the strain.


OK, there is a second method for viewing images this way, and I'll list that here as well for those who might find this easier. The end is the same, but the way to get there is different.


1. Start the same, place yourself square to your monitor and level with the screen.

2. Hold out your index finger close to the screen, and directly in the middle of the images.

3. Focus on your finger.

4. Slowly bring your finger up towards your face (tip of your nose), and keep your focus on your finger. While you are doing this notice the images in your vision, just don't focus on them yet. Notice that behind your finger the two images have become four.

5. When you notice that the images have overlapped and are aligned, stop moving your finger towards your face. Pause here and keep your focus on your finger.

6. When ready, slowly move your finger down out of your field of view, while you keep the images aligned. (This is the step that will require practice, don't get frustrated if you lose alignment here.)

7. With your finger out of view, slowly adjust your focus to focus on the aligned image. There is the new 3D image for you to view!

8. If you lose the image when you take your finger away, you can try keeping your finger there but adjusting your focus on the aligned image.

9. If needed, take a break and try again. Nothing like learning something new, huh? (Especially something our parents told us never to do!)


All righty then... with all that said, here is the image from the first post. Can you see the 3D now? Pretty cool isn't it!

 

[warrenP]

Now that we've going through the basics, here is how you can do this yourself. You can use any camera, the better the camera, then your images will look better but the 3D won't be impacted in any way. You simply need to take two photos instead of one.


So, if you want to take a 3D photo of your projector, for example. Stand where you normally would stand. Take the picture as you normally would. Then, slide over a few inches and take another picture, focusing and pointing at the exact same object (the projector in this example).


What you are doing is taking the "left eye" photo and the "right eye" photo. For shots that aren't too far away you would only shift the camera a few inches between photos.


So, here is the long list of how to take the photos:

1. Aim and shoot a photo of your subject.

2. Move the camera (or take a step) a few inches to the side.

3. Aim and take a second photo of your subject.

4. That's it, I can't think of a fourth step.


Now, you have your two photos. Here you'll need to use whatever you have for photo editing. (I know someone who didn't have a photo editor so he used MS PowerPoint!) Anything really that you can use to put the two images on screen at the same time.


For me, I do some graphic and video work so I have Photoshop, and I use that as I am familiar with it. I make a blank page with a solid black background and then just import the images. I lastly save the new image and then I'm done.


You can decide how much of a border to use, and what color you like. I've found over the years that black is the easiest for my eyes. Some folks like a white background. Same thing with the size. The farther apart you place the images the more your eyes need to work (BTW, this is why it isn't a good idea to do a panoramic 3D image - it is simply too wide).


So, here are the steps on combining the images:

1. Open whatever photo editor you like to use.

2. Make a new blank image big enough to hold two photographs and a small black (or whatever you want) border.

3. Import the two images side by side - be sure they are lined up.

4. Save the new image

5. Email to all your friends and family to amaze them with your awesomeness


One other point, you'll want to check out the effect based on putting the right eye photo on the left side of your image and vice versa. For most people, the 3D effect only works well with the photo you took as the "left eye" on the right side and the photo you too as the "right eye" on the left side. This is because you are crossing your eyes for the final product.


Lastly, on the distance apart between images. When you are inside a room, like a home theater, it is more accurate to only have a distance of a few inches between images (after all your eyes are pretty darn close together!). However, you can go farther apart.


There is something called hyper 3D, and this is usually only done outside. If you go feet, yards, and so on between images you can get incredible images. A general rule is that if you are shooting a close subject, such as in a room, you want your images to be pretty close together. As the subject moves away (a mountain range outside for example), you can move literally hundreds of feet between the images.


OK, I think that about covers it. Onto some posts with the 3D photos!

 

[warrenP]

I had a chance to go to Shawn's theater today, and took a few images. First, the famous hallway and ticket booth...


The Cinema Sign:

The ticket booth open. I like how you can see the fabric through the window...

Here is a slightly different angle of the hallway from the opening of this thread. In this photo I like how you can just see a sliver of light inside the theater...

 

[warrenP]

Moving to the inside of the theater.


First, the projector. In this case I don't think I moved over enough as the 3D effect is there, but weak. Had I moved maybe 3 inches farther I think the effect would have been stronger.

A shot of the screen. I think shots of the screen wall might be tough. I have two others (I'll get to them tomorrow), and it is hard since there isn't a lot of depth there. Maybe if one of you try it, catching more of the side wall would help. That is what I'll try next time.

The back of the theater. Here you can see the projector shelf sticking out pretty well.

A simple shot of the seats in the theater.

 

[warrenP]

OK, that's it for tonight. I hope you all enjoy this, and look forward to seeing what you come up with! I'll make some more and post them over the next few days.

 

[mikieson]

ummmmmmmm......NO

 

[BIGmouthinDC]

OK, I've been staring at the first picture and I think I see it. It's a spaceship and Saturn with the rings right?

 

[brandonnash]

I will try this while I am not on my phone. A little difficult doing it that way.

 

[jdholmes]

Yeah - it appears I don't have the 'touch'...


Really don't see the point, or why it's here in this thread to be frank. Sorry.

 

[In2Photos]

I've never had any luck viewing 3D photos.

 

[shawnwalters]

Wow all that light highlights all my flaws!!


But they look great - I can't see the 3d either though..?


Can I use a couple of the door shots in my build thread?

 

[BIGmouthinDC]

I was successful in viewing the 3D image. While it does add some depth to the image it didn't knock my socks off.

 

[Sands_at_Pier147]

I can see the 3D quite well. That is awesome!


Now how do I make my eyes go back ... I can't see my keyboard.

 

[BritInVA]

I think I can see it but like Brian my vision is now distorted.... hope it wears of quickly

 

[Johnsteph10]

Ok, the only thing I got out of it was a headache.


Of course, I could never do the 3D hidden pictures, either. Grr..


Cool idea, though and obviously it must look pretty neat.

 

[warrenP]



Quote:
Originally Posted by BIGmouthinDC /forum/post/16833777


OK, I've been staring at the first picture and I think I see it. It's a spaceship and Saturn with the rings right?

LOL...

As a guy who is into 3D, I actually really disliked those images where you had to find the shape... ugh...


Related, and maybe why I dislike those, is that I have a very hard time seeing the images in them. Even today, after I've taught myself the cross viewing technique enough that it is instant, I can't see these - they use a different visual technique which for some reason I can't see. The cross viewing is much easier, imho.


I have no idea what is in this pic:

 

[warrenP]



Quote:
Originally Posted by brandonnash /forum/post/16833792


I will try this while I am not on my phone. A little difficult doing it that way.

Or driving, probably best not to try then. You'll look up and see two roads!

 

[warrenP]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Sands_at_Pier147 /forum/post/16834430


I can see the 3D quite well. That is awesome!


Now how do I make my eyes go back ... I can't see my keyboard.

I'm glad one person saw the 3D so far at least!