Stereoscopy

Stereoscopy is a technique for creating images with increased depth giving the illusion that they are 3D. To create a stereogram you need two images of the scene slightly offset from each other. These images can be acquired using a stereoscopic camera, a camera with two lenses that takes two pictures at the same time, using two cameras set up next to each other, or using a single camera and then carefully moving it for the second shot; are a few common techniques.

The stereograms are then viewed using a stereoscope, a device that isolates each image to each eye, the brain then takes these two images and creates a 3^rd with increased depth perception, giving the 3D effect.

Stereoscopy can be dated back to the 19^th century when people realised they could be used to provide a viewing experience of places and locations unaccessible to others. They became a learning tool for geography, science, history and other such subjects. They continued to be used until the mid 20^th century where gradually became less popular.

Below are some examples of stereocameras and stereoscopes.

DIY Stereo Camera

Diableries

Diableries are a name given to a series of stereo cards created in France in the 1860s to the early 1900s. Roughly translated 'Diableries' means Devilments, the series is a depiction of the underworld, devils, satyrs and skeletons, all alive and having fun. The cards, 'known as French tissues, are constructed in a special way to enable them to be viewed (in a stereoscope) illuminated from the from, for a normal 'day' appearance on monochrome, or illuminated from the back, transforming the view into a 'night' scene, in which hidden colours magically appear, and the eyes of the skeletons leap out in red'. (May, B. 2011).

More information about the prints and how they were created can be found on the following link... http://www.londonstereo.com/diableries/

Brian May, along with Denis Pellerin and Paula Fleming have published a book titled Diableries: Stereoscopic Adventures in Hell. It is a collection of these 'Devilments'. On the above website Brian May explains that the first Diableries were created in the late 1850s, but various sets were produced in large quantities between 1860 and 1900 in France. The most successful of the series was published in 1868, comprising of 72 stereocards. Most were made by artists Hennetier and Habert, both having similar yet distinct styles. Due to the success other artists later got involved in creating more of these Diableries. (May, B. 2013).  

You can see some the stereocards from the Diableries series below.