This article was taken from the March 2015 issue of WIRED magazine. Be the first to read WIRED's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by subscribing online.
When one thinks of 3D images, an exotically framed portrait or special glasses come to mind. What might surprise you is a convincing 3D GIF that will display on a computer screen can be made using a normal camera. "We wanted to combine people's love of animated GIFs with the art of stereoscopic photography," explains
At-Bristol Science Centre's Ross Exton.
The equipment you'll need
The technique of taking two slightly different photos to simulate 3D vision is actually quite old, and was pioneered by 19th-century photographers. As such, all you will need is a camera and a photo-editing package. Ross used Photoshop, but if you don't have that, the free GIMP editing software will do the trick. Any camera can be used, but one that allows for exposure control is ideal to help the photos match up perfectly.
Find a suitable subject
Select an object that doesn't move and has clear details in both the background and foreground. Focus on the subject and take the picture. Move the camera a few centimetres to one side or the other and point the camera at the same subject. Snap another picture. If you can, keep the camera on the same settings and at the same height by using a tripod.
Combine images and enjoy
Open both pictures on your photo-editing software, lining them up over the main subject. Output the image as a GIF that flickers back and forth between the two. According to At-Bristol's Seamus Foley, each frame should be kept in view for about 1/12th of a second, which is roughly two frames at UK's television default of 25 frames per second. When viewed, the GIF will flicker back and forth, tricking your brain into thinking you're viewing a 3D image.
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
