Aerial Photos & Stereo Photography

To view stereopair photos, use a stereopticon; or, holding a card vertically between the eyes, let each eye gently shift and focus on parallel features of each photo pair; or, facing the screen at arm's length, hold up a finger near the screen -- focus in it -- slowly draw it toward your eyes -- then shift your gaze toward the screen.

Inexpensive stereopticons are sold at college bookstores for geological or engineering students; about $10 for a plastic version. These simply consist of two one-inch-diameter, low-magnification lenses mounted approximately 2-3/4 inches apart on an opaque card. Forestry Suppliers has variety of stereopticons, compasses, range-finders, GPS units, surveying instruments, orange vests, flagging, and other equipment; order a catalog at the website or phone (601)354-3565.

The Dolores River, in southwest Colorado, is an example of an ancient meandering river gouging a deep channel in an uplifting landscape. At Muleshoe Bend, the V-shaped gorge is 600 to 1,000 feet deep, and the river occupies the full width of the base of the valley.

Image -- Dolores River, Colorado -- from 'Atlas of Landforms,' US Military Academy, 1965

Morro Bay, California is an example of a fjord coastline of drowned glacial troughs. Morro Rock is a glaciated "horn" peak similar to the Matterhorn.

Image -- Morro Bay, California -- from 'Atlas of Landforms,' US Military Academy, 1965

This site has an overview of stereo photography methods, using either the two-lens cameras popular in the 1950s, or using a standard camera and shifting it a few inches apart. I have a camera similar to the Revere shown on this site.

Harold Baize' site has 3-D photos taken at Burning Man, in a variety of formats. The Stereo Division of the Oakland Camera Club has an online gallery that should be of interest to Bay Area people; this page has a link to the 3-D Web Ring.

As soon as I get more familiar with my camera and get some good shots, I'll have more up on this page. Here's a few links:

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