Critters in Stereo.

Digital Stereos for Cross-Eyed Viewing.

by Donald E. Simanek.

This page requires a monitor width of at least 1000 pixels in order to see both images for cross-eyed stereo viewing. Since the photos also have large vertical dimension, it helps to toggle the "full screen" view (F11 in Windows). However, if you haven't mastered that viewing method, these may also be appreciated as 2d flat photos. All are copyright by Donald Simanek. Most were taken with a homebuilt 3d digital camera attachment described in 3d Gallery Four.

For instructions on free-viewing 3d by the cross eyed method, see the How to View 3D page.

Wildlife exposed unposed.

I admire the work of stereo photographers who control their shooting environment so that every leaf and every animal's hair is perfectly composed. I haven't that much patience. I prefer to stalk critters in their natural environment, going about their usual business.

This approach preserves the look of natural settings. But you have almost no control over backgrounds and foregrounds. In close-up macro stereo you have limited depth of focus. The limited range of sharpness can be thought of as a defect, but also it can minimize the distraction of a "busy" background, and somehow seems more "natural" than stereos taken with multiple exposures and processed with image-stacking software.

These two deer seemed to want their picture taken. After moving off to a safe distance they posed motionless for several minutes, as if curious about what I was up to. Taken with the Fuji W-1 3d, and 3x telephoto setting. They seemed to know they were safe in a state park, and it wasn't yet hunting season anyway.

Two swans, rehearsing for Swan Lake. These had paused in their annual migration to spend a few days on a shallow pond in a cornfield. Note that they have leg bands and wing bands. The pond was temporary, from a recent creek flood, and as it shrank, the swans decided to depart for elsewhere.

Three ducks.

This larva of a Monarch butterfly is busily eating some plant I didn't identify. They usually like milkweed, but none were in sight at this location.

Normally it isn't considered good stereo composition to have any object protruding nearer than the picture "frame", but here I think it adds interest.

This picture could be called "lunch munch at the salad bar". All of the pictures of this caterpillar were taken with the Fuji W-1 3d and my prismatic macro adapter, plus close-up lenses.

I rescued this praying mantis from a near-death experience as I was mowing the lawn. It flew into a nearby ornamental maple tree, which made it challenging to get a good angle for a photo. Taken with the Fuji W-1 3d and my prismatic macro adapter. Here 3d has an advantage over 2d, for it separates the subject from the background.

This farm cat cooperated for only two pictures before departing for elsewhere. No time for careful composition. Black animals are difficult photo subjects. The Fuji W-1 3d camera was set on "auto".

A bunny, exploring its new world.

More cross-eyed stereos in 3d Gallery One.
Still more, mostly taken with a digital camera in 3d Gallery Two.
Stereo view cards in 3d Gallery Three.
Home-built digital stereo macro camera attachment 3d Gallery Four.
Review of the Loreo stereo attachment 3d Gallery Five.
The Loreo stereo attachment—improved 3d Gallery Five C.
The Loreo LIAC attachment as a 3d macro device, 3d Gallery Five D.
Wildlife photography in your backyard 3d Gallery Six.
A home-built digital stereo camera using mirrors 3d Gallery Seven.
Stereo macro photography in your garden 3d Gallery Eight.
Stereo digital infrared photography 3d Gallery Ten.
Wider angle stereo with the Loreo LIAC 3d Gallery ll. A failed experiment.
Review of the Fuji FinePix Real 3D W1 camera 3d Gallery 12.
Macrophotography with the Fuji 3D camera. 3d Gallery13.
Panoramic stereo photography. 3d Gallery 14.
Tips for stereo photography with the Fuji 3d camera. 3d Gallery 15.
Mirror methods for stereo photography. 3d gallery 16.
The Fuji 3d macro adapter using mirrors, by Paul Turvill.
The Fuji 3d macro adapter with flash! 3d gallery 17.
Wide angle stereo. 3d gallery 19.
Telephoto Stereo. 3d gallery 20.
2D to 3d Conversion. 3d gallery 21.
Stereos from outer space. 3d gallery 22.
Review of the Panasonic Lumix 3d digital camera. 3d gallery 23.

Reverberant flash for shadowless lighting.
Digital stereo photography tricks and effects.
Shifty methods for taking stereo pictures.
Stereoscopy with two synchronized cameras by Mike Andrus.
Guidelines for Stereo Composition.
Return to the the 3d and illusions page.
Return to Donald Simanek's front page.

—Donald E. Simanek