Picture 1
Lenticular Portraits
This information is a modified version of information provided by "Igor Kurchavov" (the author).
The biggest problem for shooting of 3D lenticular pictures is that it is necessary to shoot from 6 to 12 frames from the different angles. In order to accomplish that feat, a special device that is mounted to a tripod and which provides a slide mechanism with equi-distance stops between exposures (photographs) is used. The down side of this process is the time required to complete the task. For example, in the example shown, 12 frames (photographs) during a period of 1 to 2 minutes. Of course, your model has to be absolutely motionless during this period. Natural or continuous lighting is necessary as the use of flash to illuminate the model would startle the model and he/she will move involuntarily after each flash. Additionally, the lighting may not be as natural appearing as the other methods of illumination.
1. The model should take shallow/slight breaths as deep breathing could be visible on the portrait as motion and the portrait may have blurred edges.
2. A strong steady tripod is a must.
3. It is preferred to use a scene with a good depth or/and long objects that add to depth of the scene.
4. The time and place for taking the photographs requires that nothing will disturb the photographer or the subject during shooting.
5. Manual mode and Manual focus must be used as all of the frames must have the same exposure and focus.
6. Use of Remote control for shooting is necessary as it prevents shaking of the camera and requires less time to make each photograph of the sequence.
7. Photographs taken in a studio with known lighting and set distances will provide the greatest degree of success for ideal depth in the finished print.
In the example, the camera has been positioned at a distance of about 3 meters ( 10 feet) from the model. The overall stereobase* is 16.5 cm (6½"). Software which utilizes the stereobase and the number of frames (photographs) taken will then process the individual photos and create an appropriate print for use with a lenticular lens.
*stereobase = distance between extreme positions (L to R) of camera for the photograph sequence.
Below, you will find an example of the overall process. The scene and subject (picture 1):
Picture 1
In this example, the lighting is not ideal. Utilizing software such as "Ulead PhotoImpact", "Photoshop", or "Paint Shop Pro", adjustments can be made. In this case, the steps involved are those of Ulead PhotoImpact photo editing software.
The order of operations:
In Photo Effects Gallery, select Beautify Skin #3 to make the skin more natural.
Next, enhance the lighting Photo -> Enhance Lighting... and select Fill flash: as 40 and Enhance shadow: as -80. Following those modifications, add color saturation Photo -> Hue and Saturation... as 20.
The result (picture 3):
Picture 2
The author (Igor) prefers Ulead PhotoImpact graphic editor as it has many useful presets that can improve the picture very fast and easy.
The above steps are applied to all of the (12) frames and saved to one folder on the computer. The names of these saved files must be as 1.jpg, 2.jpg and so on. Where the frame 1.jpg is the most left frame.
Next, 12.jpg is converted to an object and placed into the 1.jpg image. The transparency of 50%. In this example (picture 3), a slight slope is indicated (misalignment) and must be corrected. (This can be caused by imperfect leveling - difficult to be exact, or a wide stereobase on a tripod that does not have the necessary stability required for the camera and tripod slide device).
Picture 3
The author uses software (ViewsAligner) to correct the problem. It saves much time and is relatively easy to use. To work well, there needs to be one or more horizontal and/or vertical surfaces/lines/references.
Utilizing the ViewsAligner software, add the frames and select the Two bench marks alignment button. Place the bench marks on the line that can be used for horizontal alignment. Any line can be used for horizontal alignment but it is a good idea to use some horizontal or vertical line. In this example, the line of the atrium's ceiling was selected. Place the bench marks on the left and right pictures on the same places (marked by blue color) and then click the button with arrow, the software will place the bench marks to the rest of frames automatically. Then click the Alignment button (picture 4).
Picture 4
Hence now we have the frames without sloping relatively each other. Each of these frames has the black area that was added by "ViewsAligner" software (picture 5). This area appears because the frame was rotated.
Picture 5
Hence now we have the frames without sloping relatively each other. Each of these frames has the black area that was added by "ViewsAligner" software (picture 5). This area appears because the frame was rotated.
The next step is to align the new frames by a common reference or zero point and crop the frames to eliminate the "black - misaligned portion"..
Again, in the example, the zero point as the finger on the hand-rail. Click the button One bench mark alignment, put the marker on the finger and click the button with arrow, the software will place the bench mark to the other frames automatically. Then click the Alignment button and save all the aligned frames in one folder (picture 6).
Picture 6
Before cropping it must be decided what size of picture is wanted. For example, if you want to make a horizontal picture with size of 8"x10" (20x25 cm). The proportion of this picture is 4:5. Click on Cropping button and select the right proportion ratio. Then click the Crop button and save the aligned and cropped frames in one folder (picture 7).
Picture 7
There now are 12 aligned and cropped frames that can be used for interlacing using software such as "PhotoProjector". This software interlaces (slices into narrow bands and assembles them according to the lenticular lens being used. The processed file is then printed and mounted to a lenticular lens.