This is a digital “dupe” made by Gammatech from a file I sent them. The file for each of these images was about 2500 x 2000 pixels, about 1200 pixels per inch. I had them “print” eight stereo pairs like this onto an 8×10 inch transparency. They offered two resolutions for this, “8k” and “16k.” I asked them to print my file at “16k” because my file had a resolution around 12k. I might try doing it onto 70mm film next time – the cost is about the same either way. This imagery was obtained and processed digitally. Cameras: twin rig Canon D60 (6MP DSLR) with 28mm lenses, stereobase for this view about 9 inches.

Using a multiple exposure technique, buildings are rendered magically translucent, revealing the structure beneath the facade, and the foundation beneath the structure. Images were obtained over a period spanning 12 to 18 months, each time from a platform carefully repositioned, so that the camera(s) would be in exactly the same spot, matching position, direction and orientation in six axes. From about 2007 to 2010, I recorded the construction of a half-dozen buildings like this in and around Charlottesville. With its requirement for extreme accuracy, digital post-processing was almost as much work as the photography itself!