Stereo/3D Photography What is Stereo Photography? When we listen to music, we listen with two ears about eight inches apart and hear the music from two slightly different directions. Thus, our brains process this information into "stereophonic" music. Stereo recordings attempt to recreate this experience by using two microphones - one for the right ear and one for the left - which results in music that has both depth and dimension. Similarly, our two eyes see the world from two slightly different perspectives, enabling our brains to combine them into a single image. Stereographic photography mimics this visual ability by using two camera lenses that are eye width apart, and composing two photographs designated for the left and right eyes. This trick/tool/mechanism thus produces an image that has startling depth. Viewing Stereo/3D Photography Stereo photography is traditionally viewed either with a viewer or through a cross-eye technique. Viewers such as the HyperViewer are easy to use and aid the combining of two images into a stereo/3d photograph. To cross-eye view, look at the right two images in the stereo triptych with crossed eyes until they fuse into one three dimensional image. This takes practice but can be done! Viewing of the image on the website can be done with a variety of viewers that let you see parallel views. Another way to look at the images on the website is to look into the distance and relax your eyes until you see three images, the center one will be in stereo. Although on the website you can see the images in stereo they will not be as sharp and beautiful as the original prints. I would encourage you to visit Leonardo's Gallery in Toronto and ask to look at some of the original prints.