Stereo of a 3-D 4×5 pin hole camera from issue 25-4 article by Paul Gentry
Toronto. Continuing the theme of volume 25, Editor Lansdale reprinted an article by Paul Gentry titled “THE STEREO PINHOLE: A ‘Hands On’ Approach to 3-D Photography”. The article and illustrations are courtesy of the NSA.
Paul begins, “Pinhole and stereo photography have both been around for a long time – almost since the first photographs were made. Yet today they are often thought of as little more than novelties, mere footnotes in photo history.
“This of course, as everyone involved with these mediums can tell you, is hardly the case. They are very much alive and well and, in the hands of more and more people, are becoming vital art forms.
“As alternative ways to photograph things, each gives us a unique vision of the world. One that continues to instil in viewers a sense of the mysterious and magical.
“My interest in pinhole photography began when I was still in art school. Discovering such a simple, non-mechanical way to make photographs came as something of a revelation. I loved the idea of making cameras out of whatever materials were at hand.
“Almost any type of design could be explored – wide angle, panoramic, you name it. But it was the beauty of the images pinholes could produce that was most compelling. It wasn’t long before I had abandoned conventional cameras altogether. And so it has remained to this day.
“Building pinhole cameras eventually led me to experiment with a stereo design. I knew very little about stereography and really didn’t expect great results, assuming there must be something very tricky to making three-dimensional photographs. But my reservations were soon laid to rest. Once again the humble pinhole proved itself to be a remarkable performer.
“Through it a whole new creative realm was opened up to me – the world of 3-D photography!” …
Members can read all of Paul’s article and his sidebars on making pin hole stereo cameras in the issue 25-4 pdf file on the free members-only DVD/thumb drive. See “Membership” above or at the right to join (inexpensive) and email any questions to Lilianne at member@phsc.ca.
