3-D Films and the Eyes

We perceive objects in three dimensions because our eyes are a few centimetres apart. We see objects from two different angles. It is our brain that puts together the two images formed by our eyes and forms a single image that has thickness and shape.

In 3-D photography, the same principle is applied. Two pictures are taken with the help of two lenses kept exactly the same distance apart as our eyes. The two images formed are put on the film superimposing each other with colours of different wavelengths. Special glasses are used to view 3-D fims.

These glasses contain two different monochromatic lenses i.e. lenses that allow the rays of only one particular wavelength to pass through. So each eye sees only the image meant for it (corresponding to the particular wavelenght) and is blind to the image the other eye sees. Again the brain comes into play and combines the two into one solid image. This resultant mental picture has three dimensions.




* Back to articles