Stereograph Images -- Can You See Them?

I saw a post on another thread by who (in my opinion) is one of the best numismatic photographers around (John Baumgart). His post was about stereograph images of coins. This is sort of like viewing a coin in 3D -- his description was the following:

"I just started shooting stereographs...These can be viewed using special glasses that focus the images to where they should be in order to merge into a single image (like an old stereopticon), or you can "free-view" them by either crossing your eyes (viewing the right picture with your left eye and vice versa) or by aiming your eyes parallel to each other (viewing the left picture with your left eye). In either case, when done correctly, a center image emerges that shows depth. I can only do this cross-eyed, some people can only do parallel, some can do both, and some neither. It can take a bit of practice at first, but the result is kind of cool when it works, especially with high relief stuff. Where do you fit?"

Well, needless to say I thought his images were super cool. The way I describe how you do this is to in a way almost focus your eyes behind the computer screen. If you have ever seen those "MagicEye" calendars or posters where if you stare at it for long enough you can see a 3-D image of something, this is similar. If you are viewing the side by side images and they appear to be inset instead of relief then try the other one (i.e., if you are viewing the "Cross" version and it looks like the design is carved into the coin, then look at the "parallel" image instead -- this one should look like it's popping out in relief).

The method (as described by John) is to set up your lights and focus your camera on the coin. Then move the coin to the far left of the viewfinder and snap an image. Them move the coin (without rotating it) to the far right of the viewfinder and snap a picture. The slight difference in the lighting and luster bands of the coin when viewed "sterographically" make the coin seem alive. You can literally see the luster shimmer on a computer screen image!! It has its most interesting applications on high relief coins/medals/tokens.

Here is what the viewfinder original images look like.

Left side:


Right side:



AND, the two different types of stereograph images (depending on which method you can view them) -- give it a go and see if you can see the merged image without getting a headache!





Cheers,
-Brandon