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You can make a stereo photograph for several different formats. For the sake of simplicity, I've included only stereo images in the side-by-side format. You can use a viewer, which in my opinion is the easiest and most exciting way to experience a 3D photo. If you don't have a viewer, you can use a method called "free viewing" in two different ways - parallel or cross-eyed. This can take some practice if you haven't done it before.
Viewer
Stereo viewers vary in design and size, but the principle is basically the same for all. Its main advantage among many is that it uses lenses to magnify the images and focus your eyes at parallel lines of sight. This way, the left eye is directed to the left image and the right eye to the right image. The viewer also provides a barrier, which allows the left and right eyes to see its respective image without distraction. This allows for an easy and satisfying experience of the stereo photo.
Parallel Viewing
The term "parallel" refers to the the line of sight of your eyes when viewing a stereo photo. In this case, the left eye sees the image from the left camera lens, while the right eye sees the image from the right camera lens.
The easiest way to view a stereo image in parallel is with a viewer of some kind. If you choose to free view, here is a suggested method. First, hold the card up about 7 inches away from your face. While looking at the card, relax your eye muscles and focus on a far distant point beyond the card as if to stare into infinity. The more you relax, your eyes will begin to diverge slightly so both lines of sight are parallel. Once you do this, you will see the two images of the stereo pair slowly merge into a 3D image. Try it below and use the two black dots to assist in merging the images.
Cross-Eyed Viewing
This method is exactly how it sounds. The stereo pair is arranged in a right-left orientation and in order to merge the two images, the viewer literally crosses their lines of sight so that the left eye sees the right image and the right eye sees the left image. A stereo pair in this orientation does not allow for the use of a viewer. In order to freww view, cross your eyes by focusing on a point about 6 inches from your face with the stereo pair not far in the background. You can use a pen or your finger to focus on. With your eyes crossed on that object in the foreground, slowly remove it from your line of sight with your eyes still crossed to that point. Now, shift your focus to the background and the stereo pair will begin to merge into a 3D image.
This method seems to be easier for some since we are generally more familiar with the feeling of crossing our eyes. Because our eyes can only diverge so much, the cross-eyed method allows you to free view larger stereo photos at a closer distance than you could if you were to try with the parallel method. Try it below and use the two black dots to assist in merging the images.
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