Useful tips
Contents:
How do we see three-dimensional objects
Why is it wrong to look at photography with two eyes
Why is it right to look at a photo with one eye
How 3D glasses work: the illusion of three-dimensionality
Practical advice: how to make any photo three-dimensional
Find your favorite photo and take a good look at it. Now look at it with just one eye, with the palm of the other eye covered. What changes did you notice?
Try this with the following photo:
If you have good eyesight, you may have noticed that when you look at the photo with one eye, the photo becomes three-dimensional — the objects in it appear more voluminous.
At the end of the article, we will give practical advice on how to make any photo three-dimensional in such a simple way. In the meantime, let us tell you how this effect occurs.
How we see 3D objects
In fact, our eyes only see a flat image. How do we understand that we are seeing voluminous bodies?
The average distance between a person's eyes is 7 cm. Therefore, when we look at a three-dimensional object with each eye, we see it from different angles. And the brain combines these two flat images to create a stereoscopic effect (the illusion of three-dimensionality).
How the left and right eyes see the same object at a distance of 1 meter:
The photographer saw this stool in much the same way with his left and right eyes. As you can see, the images are different. However, the photographer's brain combined them into one, so he saw a three-dimensional object with two eyes.
An interesting fact! The eyes act as mirrors that transmit signals to the brain. So, in fact, we see not so much with our eyes as with our brains.
Why is it wrong to look at a photo with two eyes
To create a stereoscopic effect, the eyes must see the object slightly differently from different angles (as pictured above). But when we look at a photo with two eyes, both eyes see it from different angles in much the same way. Therefore, there is no stereoscopic effect — the brain perceives what it sees as a flat surface.
Thus, looking at a photo with two eyes, we can say that we are imposing on our own brain the impression of it as a two-dimensional object. Therefore, no matter how hard we try and convince our consciousness that we have an image of three-dimensional space in front of us, we will not outwit our brain — it clearly understands that there is a flat surface in front of it.
Why do we see a three-dimensional photograph with one eye?
Read also: Only 1 percent of people with perfect vision can take this test Do you belong to them?
Why is it right to look at a photo with one eye
The camera taking the photo takes it from one point. In other words, the camera is one eye. It turns out that we are looking with two eyes at what was seen with one eye. It is logical to assume that it would be right to look at the photo with one eye as well. And when we look at a photo with two eyes, we inevitably distort what was captured by the camera.
Looking at the photo with one eye, we no longer give the brain the impression that it sees a flat surface. In this case, it is much easier for us to tune in to the fact that we are seeing a three-dimensional picture. After all, to understand whether the plane in front of us or the voluminous body, the brain needs two eyes.
Look at this photo with one eye and your brain won't see it as a flat image — you'll see depth and volume without any 3D technology.
An interesting fact! Even with one eye, you can perceive the world as three-dimensional. This fact was proved by researchers from the University of St Andrews (Scotland) in 2013. You will find a link to the study at the end of the article, in the Information Sources section.
Read also: Vision test: What number do you see?
How 3D glasses work: the illusion of three-dimensionality
It's not convenient to watch movies with one eye. So people spent a lot of time and money making 3D movies so that when we looked at the flat screen with 3D glasses, we could still see the 3D picture with both eyes.
An interesting fact! In fact, absolutely any movie can be watched in 3D, but you'll have to close one eye.
Through each “glass” in 3D glasses, we see the same flat picture, but shot from different angles. Thanks to this, the brain creates a three-dimensional effect. Thus, the main work of transforming a two-dimensional film into 3D cinema is done not by the screen and glasses, but by our own brain.
Practical advice: how to make any photo three-dimensional
Cover one eye with your palm or a dark bandage.
To enhance the 3D effect, look at the photo for a few seconds and then gradually change the distance between your eye and the photo — get a little farther from the screen and then zoom in again. Repeat this movement several times.
Changing the distance between the photo and the eye will enhance the 3D perception of the image. Catch the point where the illusion of volume reaches its maximum. This point will be different for different photos. Try this experiment on the following photo:
See also: How to make 3D glasses with your own hands