3-D birding

"Photography is the tool whereby people can understand and appreciate the environment...and 3-D puts the person into the action" states Abe Perlstein. But he has not always devoted his photographic talent and energy to promoting environmental consciousness. Perlstein started his career in Hollywood about 25 years ago. His hefty portfolio teems with glossy, commercial still shots of TV ads, rock videos, and feature films with a catalog of celebrities.

To view these images you need a pair of red/cyan-tinted anaglyph glasses: If you don't already have a pair laying around the house from a 3-D film or magazine article, here's how to get your very own FREE pair:

Send a self-addressed 1st-class-stamped envelope to:

Rainbow Symphony
6860 Canby Avenue/#120
Reseda, CA. 91335

with a note stating, "I can't wait to see www.abes3dworld.blogspot.com in 3-D! Please send a free sample pair of your red/cyan-tinted anaglyph glasses in the self-address-stamped envelope provided. Thank You."

As experienced photographers will know 3-D stereoscopic photography is nothing new. The fundamental technology is as old as photography itself, dating back to the 1840s. The first cameras operated on the same basic principle of binocular (or stereoscopic) vision, eventually being simplified as technology advanced. Only recently has 3-D imaging made its tremendous resurgence, and in Perlstein's opinion, its popularity will only continue to grow.

Perlstein's technique, which he didn't invent, although he may have nearly perfected it, generally requires two cameras, separated by as little as a few inches or as much a few hundred yards. The separate vantage points create the same sense of depth perception that we see with our own two eyes, which are separated by about 2 1/2 inches. By placing the two pictures side-by-side and viewing them through what looks like a pair of binoculars, the eyes are able to view the images separately - one for each eye - and the result is like magic.

This is my favorite - a flock of pelicans taking flight from the grassy wetlands in the Morro Bay National Estuary located on California's Central Coast. With stereo imaging, you are there, in the kayak, gazing through binoculars.

This particular view took over an hour of positioning and repositioning the kayak, all the while cursing under my breath. Every detail, from foreground to background, can be seen in crisp detail, with the positions and shapes of the wings perfectly visible. It's more detail than you could ever catch with your own eyes, and because of the depth perception, it's more accurate than any photograph you've seen before. Indeed, it's like sitting right there on the bay.

Here's another full-screen birding favorite, a mixed flock cruising by in the back bay area of the Morro Bay National Estuary. This view was shot with optically matched dual zooms set to 300mm on the hand-held configuration of the twin-rig camera system seen below.

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6189/1909/1024/142-43-Morro-Bay-bird-party-ana-1.jpg

"My intention is to inspire stewardship, conservation and preservation of our last vital natural resources" Perlstein said. "Little kids are the hardest critics. If they don't get it, then I've missed my mark.When I see kids come in and say, "Whoa, Mommy, look at this!" I know I've done something right.

Perlstein encourages children and adults to send their questions and comments to ap3dguy@Gmail.com



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	(Ross's Gull header by Dave Hawkins)