Home
About The Group
Fresh Featured Recent Archive Accepted Generative 3D Viewer Guide Test Images
Stereograms Working Minimum Capturing Processing Viewing Presentation Tone Mapping 2D to 3D Conversion
Groups, Clubs and Societies International Exhibitions Information on the WWW Software and Products Downloads
Stereoscopic Profile Family Tradition
☰

 

traditionLtraditionR

Family Tradition

A family tradition is an activity or pattern of behaviour that reflects a family's values, interests, or beliefs. Once established, it will hopefully be passed down through the generations. It represents your specific family unit and is like your own family culture.

Members of the Ewen family have been capturing real stereoscopic photographs for more than a century (1913 onward).

Alexandra Avenue 1913 by GW Ewen (Download)

1 - First generation

George William was the first family member to start capturing real stereoscopic photographs. He used a Mackenstein Francias Jumelles Stereo camera (serial number 9839) first introduced in 1903 and manufactured until 1915. There were models for different formats. The 'Francia' model he used supported the 6x13cm format but was also suitable for 6x6cm and 6x6.5cm glass plates. He passed away in 1923 and two autochrome photographs taken in Melbourne in 1913 and 1922 presented in the Gallery section of this site are evidence of his many stereoscopic endeavours.

2 - Second generation

Harold George was the only one of the second generation to capture stereoscopic photographs. He was a member of the Stereoscopic Society and many of his photographs survive in the form of realist slides. His earliest known surviving photographs are two autochromes from 1926. The ready availability of Kodachrome 35mm color transparency film after the Second World War (late 1940's) gave rise to a major resurgence of interest in stereoscopic photography by those amateurs primarily interested in the realism provided. His interest took life again in the 1950s when he obtained his first 35mm film stereo camera courtesy of his son-in-law Cliff Sawkins who brought it back from Switzerland whilst on a business trip. HG never looked back.

During this second period from 1956 to 1979, HG used a variety of stereo cameras such as the Iloca II, Iloca Rapid, Iloca 3.5, and a Mecaflex SLR for cha-cha close-ups.

Prior to the setting up of formal camera clubs in Australia dedicated to stereo photography, there was for many years a nucleus of devotees working in the medium. The Australian Division of the British based Stereoscopic Society existed from the very early days of the 20th century, primarily for the purpose of circulating postal portfolios of members stereo photographs both within Australia and overseas. HG was one of these devotees.

HG acted as the folio secretary for the Australian Section of the Stereoscopic Society for an extended period and actively participated in them all. He also swapped personal folios with many international friends. He passed over running the New Zealand Folio Circuit to Arthur Howard in 1971

HG maintained detailed notebooks recording the content, membership and travels of the many National and Overseas Folios of the Australian Section of the Stereoscopic Society he managed until his resignation from the Society in 1980 when his advanced age (approaching 91) finally caused his health to deteriorate. His resignation was accepted with thanks by Harry P Brown on the 1st of April, 1980, approximately a year before HG's passing.

3 - Third generation

Arthur Howard was the first of the third generation to capture stereoscopic photographs and last to capture them in the film era. He was a member of the Stereoscopic Society, the Victorian 3D Society and Sydney Stereo Camera Club. His photographs survive in the form of realist slides. He began using commercial 35mm cameras, but being an amazing engineer, he progressed to building his own specialist 3d camera equipment. The pinnacle of this work was his 'ewentica', an extended single Praktica super TL to which he added a second lens.

He joined the Australian Folio circuit of the Stereoscopic Society in 8/5/1962 and added his first photographs a month later. During the period from 1962 to 1997, AH used a variety of stereo cameras such as an Edixa, an Iloca II, his modified korelle for macro work and finally his home built 'ewentica'.

AH was a member of the Stereoscopic Society and in 1971 he took the job of Australian Folio Secretary for the Australia/New Zealand circuit and in 1984 extended this to the local and overseas folios as well. He maintained this role until suffering a catastrophic illness in October 1977 and passing a month later.

Robert Alexander was the second of the third generation to capture stereoscopic photographs. His photographs survive in the form of realist slides.

He joined the Australian Folio circuit of the Stereoscopic Society in 1964 and added his first photographs in that same year. During the period from 1964 to 1997, RA primarily used a Wirgin Edixa stereo camera and occasionally an Iloca 2.

He resigned from the Stereoscopic Society in 1980 along with his father HG having been a regular contributor to local and overseas folios during that period.

4 - Fourth generation

Robert Neil the oldest of the fourth generation, did not ever take up capturing stereoscopic photographs but once stepped in as a judge for a stereoscopic exhibition held at the Royal Melbourne Show.

Raymond John was the first of the fourth generation to capture stereoscopic photographs. His many photographs of the Simpson Desert and Cape York survive in the form of realist slides captured using a Nimslo camera modified to have only 2 lenses from the standard four by Arthur Howard.

Jeffrey Arthur (me), I am the second of the fourth generation to capture stereoscopic photographs exclusively in digital format.

5 - Fifth generation

Sarah Jean is the fifth generation to capture stereoscopic photographs.

...

Jeff Ewen 3D - creating real digital stereoscopic photographs.

Contact me by clicking here.