Incredible 3D Colour Images From 1850s Japan

In 1851, when Scotsman Sir David Brewster invented a photographic device called the Lenticular Stereoscope, the way people saw the world changed forever. After presenting it to Queen Victoria at the Great Exhibition in London, Victorians went crazy for the new machine. Photographers were sent far and wide to record famous sights and events in stereo. “See the world from your parlour!” was just one of the many advertising slogans used to promote the fabulous new medium to knowledge thirsty Victorians. These incredible 3D images are just a fraction of the tens of thousands produced.

A stereoscope[1] is a device for viewing a stereoscopic pair of separate images, depicting left-eye and right-eye views of the same scene, as a single three-dimensional image.

A typical stereoscope provides each eye with a lens that makes the image seen through it appear larger and more distant and usually also shifts its apparent horizontal position, so that for a person with normal binocular depth perception the edges of the two images seemingly fuse into one "stereo window". In current practice, the images are prepared so that the scene appears to be beyond this virtual window, through which objects are sometimes allowed to protrude, but this was not always the custom. A divider or other view-limiting feature is usually provided to prevent each eye from being distracted by also seeing the image intended for the other eye.

Wiki


NOTE: I couldn't find any info on who exactly the people were and what role they played in the photo .












Maybe someone with more knowledge on Japanese culture can give us more of an insight on who these people were and what role they played in this frozen piece of history.

I hope you enjoy these as much as i did .

Your thoughts ?

Kap

a reply to: Kapusta

WoW! I know there's a lot of earthquakes in Japan, but how'd they take ALL those pictures during earthquakes!

HAHA Just kidding!

Awesome pictures, thanks for posting!

Maybe someone with more knowledge on Japanese culture can give us more of an insight on who these people were and what role they played in this frozen piece of history.

#1 Looks like boxers to me.

#2 Construction crew.

#3 Tourists.

#4 New recruit.

#5 Ama divers.

a reply to: Kapusta
Now that is some wicked cool imagery, the only thing missing would be some samurai posing for pictures in full gear, swords and all.

Very cool stuff either way, especially given the time period it was taken in. Thinking on it, there should be some more Stereoscope pictures from that time period from other places such as Europe and the states as well, if there are some of Japan. I think I remember seeing some long ago of Victorian England and the states and other places, but does not really jog the memory were and when.

That third picture looks like one of those shrines, even got a liondog statue on there, and and kids posing, but your going to have to ask others more familiar with Japan on were and why. And the other pictures speak for themselves as well, its all pretty cool stuff.

a reply to: Kapusta

So where can I get a Lenticular Stereoscope? Think Amazon might have one? : )

Great pics! Never seen anything quite like them!

a reply to: Kapusta

1. Sumo Wrestlers.

2. Torii Gates at Inari Shrine, Kyoto

3. Kitano Temple, Kyoto.

4. Geisha meeting.

5. Clam diggers.

Image explanations + more pics

a reply to: Sublimecraft

So hey! I was just guessing!
Not bad.

They are incredible!

I keep scrolling through them

a reply to: Kapusta

I saw this on reddit. I find joy in photos. I wish, and imagine I was born in the 1800's in Japan. Or earlier would have been cool. Amazing visuals. I want to be a samurai.

I did run it through Amazon as a curiosity. Tons of books and photo books.

(I included a link but am now removing it. All it did was take you to vitamins. How bizarre. )

Different cities in 3-D photos, such as Paris in 3-D. Kind of neat. They have a 3-D postcard for $3.50, otherwise the books are priced up to $700.00 each.

Is the guy in the far left of the first photo or a ghost? He looks transparent. Look at how you can see the (flag, backdrop) and other things right through him. At last proof of Ninja invisibility?

a reply to: windword

WoW! I know there's a lot of earthquakes in Japan, but how'd they take ALL those pictures during earthquakes!

Every time I think about that I start giggling. Priceless!

Really cool! I was gonna say those dudes in the first pic look like some scrappers! I see that has been covered.

I too wish I could try living in that time. 2015 kinda sucks

jk, there's lots of beauty still....

a reply to: Kapusta

It messes with my eyes but they're really cool. Good find!

originally posted by: galadofwarthethird
a reply to: Kapusta
Now that is some wicked cool imagery, the only thing missing would be some samurai posing for pictures in full gear, swords and all.

www.abovetopsecret.com...

a reply to: intrptr

Hey thanks for posting that , super cool pics .

a reply to: Phage

Definitely not bad my friend........for an old fella.

It would really be interesting to see if we could find out where these pictures were taken and if those places still exist.

They are the best 3d mages I've seen come through a 2d screen! And to think they are 160 odd years old! Amazing

a reply to: markosity1973

Best 3D individual photos on a flat screen, how was that done and why haven't all cameras used this technique? And how was the colour added??? This is a fine thread. And yes, the guy on the far left in the first photo is a ghost, an ancestor of the guy in front of him no doubt (Boo!).