Stereos can be created using special stereo cameras, ordinary film cameras, and digital cameras.

Stereo photography is a method used to make 3D images. A stereo is made using two pictures: one for each eye. The pictures should be very similar but not identical.

When the two pictures are viewed at the same time with the left picture seen by the left eye only and the right picture seen by the right eye only the brain is tricked and so perceives depth where there is none.

Sir Charles Wheatstone used to reflecting mirror to show that an image can be perceived with depth or in 3D.

By the mid 19th century stereo photography became really popular especially after the invention of the Brewster stereoscope in 1849.

By 1889 the first 3D anaglypic motion picture was created by William Friese-Green.

These 3D anaglypic movies were very popular in the early 20th century and allowed viewers to choose their desired ending � happy or sad. The tragic endings were viewed using glasses with red filters while happy endings were viewed using glasses with green filters.

By 1932, thanks to Edwin H. Land, full color 3D movies became possible due to his invention of the process of making polarized filters. Up to this day polarized glasses are used to view 3D movies.

The great thing about stereo photography is that anyone with a camera can dabble in it. Whether you have a special stereo camera like a Loreo, Argus or Vivitar, a plain old 2D film camera or even a digital camera, you can use them so long as you learn how.

The easiest way to create stereos is of course to use a stereo camera. If you don�t have one all you need to do is snap two nearly identical shots of the same object/view. The truth though is that is easier said than done and care should be given when taking the shot since you need to hold the lens steady (parallel) and move it approximately 1/30 of the distance to the next object. Precision is the key. Next the film must be processed and then mounted in stereo mounts.

If you wish to digitize your stereos you will need to scan the mounted slides without removing them. This can be problematic but is possible.