The photographs are shot using a film-based view camera system designed and built by the artists. The camera moves on a track, taking multiple views of the subject and combining them onto one piece of film. The motion is controlled by computerized stepper motors and a program written specifically to create the three dimensional images. The final pieces are displayed in two formats: lenticular photographs or raster barriers. Lenticular photographs consist of prints or transparencies laminated to a lens screens. Raster barriers are backlit transparencies displayed with a line screen in front containing computer graphic imagery.
The lenticular screen is made up of vertical lenses. Each lens focuses a single, slightly different view to each eye. These merge in the brain to see 3D. This is the general principle of binocular vision. As you move from side to side you see subsequent views of the lenticular image, giving a sense of lookaround.
Raster barriers use a set of black lines to block (not focus) all but a single view to each eye. This accomplishes the same results as the lens screen with the added ability to scale the images. As you move from side to side you are looking around the black lines to see subsequent views. Raster barrier images must be viewed with a lightbox because of the black line effect.
The artwork encompasses the mediums of computer graphics and three dimensional photography. The camera is capable of taking both still images and movement.
Amy Fisch is a graduate of Brandeis University and the MIT Media Lab. She has been involved in computer graphics since its early days, attending the Media Lab during its formation.
Terry Maxedon is a graduate of Kansas City Art Institute. He developed holographic equipment for The Spatial Imaging Group at the MIT Media Lab, where he learned about lenticular photograhy.
They were both involved in the design and construction of specialized camera systems that shoot three dimensional photographs. Systems were sold to two Tokyo companies, Imatech and api. As studio artists their three-dimensional photography has been exhibited at The Alternative Museum, The Islip Art Museum, The Queens Museum of Science, Images du Future-Montreal and The Science Museum of Boston.