My 3D Stereographic Card Collection
How do you view stereographic photos in 3D?
To view a stereograph photo card, you need diverge or relax your eyes, focusing beyond the image as if you’re looking through it, not directly at it. I recommend practicing the same way you might have learned to see “magic eye” pictures, because the same eye skills apply! Hold the image close to your face, then slowly pull it away while maintaining this distant focus, or use the cross-eyed method by focusing in front of the image. The 3D image will appear once your eyes adjust and align the internal patterns correctly.
Using the Parallel Viewing Method.
This is the most common method for viewing stereographs.
- Get Close to the Image: Hold the stereograph close to your face, even touching it.
- Relax Your Eyes: Look at the image but un-focus your eyes as if you are looking straight ahead or at something far behind the picture.
- Slowly Pull Away: While keeping your gaze relaxed, slowly pull the image away from your face.
- Look for a Blurry Image: Your eyes will start to unfocus, and you might see blurry patterns or double vision.
- Focus and Recognize: Continue to hold this “staring through” focus until the blurry shapes come into focus and the hidden 3D image appears.
Using the Cross-Eyed Method.
This method involves crossing your eyes to focus in front of the image.
- Find a Reference: Hold the stereograph close and place your finger in front of it, focusing on your finger.
- Cross Your Eyes: Slowly cross your eyes until you see two images of your finger.
- Align the Images: Keeping your eyes crossed, slowly move your gaze to the stereograph.
- Find the Hidden Image: The two images of the stereograph should overlap in the center, creating a 3D effect.
Tips for Success
- Be Patient: Seeing the 3D image can take practice.
- Find a Clear Area: Having a plain background behind the stereograph can help.
- Don’t Zoom in too far: View the image at its original size for the best results.
Tip for viewing on your phone
If you’re viewing these on a phone or tablet, turn your device sideways so the image rotates and takes up the majority of the screen. This will help your eyes adjust to viewing these images.
