How To View 3D Stereo-pair Images

Stereo-pair photographs appear almost psychedelic, seemingly with a "sharper than reality" quality which makes them wonderful to view!

A stereo-pair image consists of 2 photographs side-by-side.
One photograph is for the left eye, the other is for the right eye.

There are 2 main methods of viewing these stereo-pair images:

1. Convergent Viewing (or "cross-eyed" viewing) - the easier method
2. Parallel Viewing - more difficult

All the stereo-pair photographs on this site use the first (Convergent Viewing) method as it is much easier.
Stereo-pairs are also easier to view on a computer screen than as printed photos, so we're really lucky.

These instructions will take you step-by-step through what you should do to get the effect.

The Steps  (click images to enlarge)

Take a look at the following pair of photos.
The photo on the left is for your right eye, and the photo on the right is for your left eye.


Step 1:
First, look at the photos in a normal way with normal focus.

Step 2:
Now cross your eyes slightly.
Crossing your eyes makes you see double, so you will see four images, but they will be out of focus or blurry.



Step 3:
Next, try to slowly uncross your eyes, so that the two images in the center come together and overlap.
They will still be out of focus, but you will now see three images instead of four.
The image in the centre is in 3D, but out of focus.



Step 4:
Keep your eyes crossed and continue looking at the "fused" image in the middle.
As your eyes relax the image will suddenly "lock" into crisp sharp focus - in 3D. (the images on the side will remain out of focus).




If this is difficult, you may try another method to see the image:

1.
Hold up a finger about 15cm in front of your face, so it is between the 2 photos on the screen.
As you focus on your finger tip, you will see four blurry images on the screen beyond your finger.

2.
Keep looking at your finger and slowly move it towards or away from you.
Like above, you want the 2 images in the middle to converge until there are 3 blurry images on the screen beyond your finger.

3.
Then, change your focus to the screen.
The 3D image beyond your finger should become sharp and your finger should now be blurred.

4.
Finally, take away your finger and enjoy the 3D effect on screen.