Welcome to the world of 3D
"DIE 3Dimensionale"
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Stereoscopic AdventuresIn Baden near ViennaSept 17th - 22nd, 2026 DIE 3DIMENSIONALE 2026June 15th - Oct 15th, 2026 "Les Diableries" part of the Photo Festival La Gacilly |
Why do we actually have two eyes?
Nature has the incredible ability to endow living beings with exactly the traits and abilities they need. No frills. In modern times, this is called “intelligent design.”
Now one might ask why we didn’t end up as cyclopses. After all, our brain combines the images captured by our two eyes into a single image. Where is the “Intelligent Design” in this?
Well, it is the merging of the two fields of vision that enables us to see in three dimensions, or “see in stereo.” It is quite remarkable that this requires nearly identical visual impressions from both eyes and a perfect parallel shift.
A Challenging Task
The challenge of creating three-dimensional views from two-dimensional images has fascinated the world of photography ever since its invention 200 years ago. Objects were drawn or photographed one after another at eye-to-eye distance. When viewed through a stereoscope, this produced a three-dimensional image. We can still see today that this was much more exciting for the viewer than a flat photograph: now known more as 3D than stereoscopy, it continues to fascinate young and old alike.
By the way: The basic principle of spatial photography has not changed to this day. Only the display devices have become significantly more sophisticated.
Stereoscopy in Austria since 1928—and not a bit outdated!
In 1928, the foundation for Austrian stereoscopy was laid with the establishment of the Austrian Society for Stereoscopy. Its stated goal? To preserve and promote the art, enjoyment, and knowledge of stereoscopic photography. Thanks to the Photographic Society and its Stereo Section, there is now a magnificent archive of 3-D images.
By the way: The basic principle of stereoscopic photography has not changed to this day. Only the viewing devices have become significantly more sophisticated.

You are interested to participate in an stereo photo contest? You want to look at first class 3D images? Or want to know about other 3D events in Vienna and surroundings? This is the right spot to go. The Sektion Stereo of the Photographische Gesellschaft in Wien (phg) is an Austrian organization for anyone with interest in stereo photography or videography. Organizing international stereo photo competitions, exhibitions and congresses it addresses am aswell as professional photographers.
Sorry! Due to technical reasons, we had no gallery inputs for August 2021