Create your own 3D photos

3D anaglyph photos and videos are nothing but two images of the same subject superimposed over each other with a different perspective using two contrasting colours. The photos are either shot once with two separate cameras or twice using a single camera. Using a single camera, the two images are shot from the same distance of the subject, but with a slight distance of 3 to 4 inches from each other. These two images are processed by the brain to create a 3D image, by which one can see the depth.

To create a 3D image, you'd need two photos of the same subject from different angles. An anaglyph image employs two different colours, usually red and cyan, and when viewed from two-colour glasses, a 3D stereoscopic image is formed. You can shoot stereo photographs and convert them into 3D anaglyph stereoscopic images using a simple free utility called Anaglyph Maker 3D.

Shooting stereo images
Shooting stereo images is a little trickier than shooting single photos as not everyone would have two digital cameras. In order to do without two cameras, we will experiment with a single camera.

For the first image, shoot an image of the subject from a distance. Then slide the camera to the right or left by 3 to 4 inches and click the second image. Make sure the distance, focus, lighting and other settings remain identical for both photos. Download the photos to your computer and label the images. You now have stereo images ready to create a 3D photo.

You can practice this method by shooting still life with a single camera mounted on a tripod. The tripod will help you shoot images from the same height, thus eliminating any differences between the two photos, and will also minimise the possibilities of image blur due to handshakes. Shooting everyday life would be a little problematic, because the subject(s) will move. To overcome this issue, you will need to have two similar cameras situated side-by-side, set to the identical settings, and triggered at the same time.

Cameras mounted on tripods separated by 3 to 4 inches can be designed. You will also need a remote trigger to capture the images from the two cameras at the same time. If the cameras can be operated by an IR remote, the same remote can be used for triggering the exposure at the same time. Else, you will need to design a wired remote using a double pole-double throw switch to do the same.