How to Create Stereo Photographs

Although photographs are only two-dimensional representations of a scene, you can easily make a stereo image using just a digital camera and a computer. Stereo images play a trick on your eyes. By looking at the pictures in just the right way, you can see the scene take on a three-dimensional appearance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Digital camera
• Computer
• Image editing software
• Stereo viewer

1. Choose a scene that you want to turn into a stereo image. You are not limited in terms of what you can turn into stereo pictures.
2. Keep the digital camera at a fixed height and take a picture of the scene. Then, move the camera about 2.5 inches to either side and take another picture of the scene, maintaining the same height and angle.
3. Load the photographs onto your computer and open them with your image editing software. This is a convenient way to view stereo pictures without having to print them out.
4. Arrange the photographs so the same object is at the same height but about 2.5 inches apart on the screen.
5. Look at the pictures using a stereo viewer. If the stereo scene isn't quite right, adjust the pictures on the computer. You may need to go back to Step 2 and take the second picture using a slightly different camera translation.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't have a stereo viewer, you can actually use your hands to form a makeshift viewer. This usually requires a little practice.
• You can make stereo photographs using a camera with film, but the digital camera approach gives you the best opportunity to practice without incurring the costs of purchasing and developing film. You can always print out your digital photographs later.
• You may want to crop the pictures to eliminate portions of the scene that don't contribute to the stereo image. These areas are usually on the edges of the pictures.
• A tripod can help keep the camera at a fixed height.