Research on 3-D Image Distortions Caused by Recording and Viewing Conditions

This chapter reviews the studies of the distortion characteristic of ­stereoscopic images seen with shooting and viewing conditions needed in order to generate stereoscopic images which viewers would find natural and easy to watch. We start with the theoretical analysis of the basic features of stereoscopic images attributable to recording and viewing conditions, with special attention to the positioning of optical axes. The impact of the optical axes on the puppet-theater and cardboard effects was assessed by subjective evaluation. There were also subjective evaluations of distortion free conditions obtained from these theoretical studies with reference to the sizes of 3-D objects, the distances to them, and the naturalness of the stereoscopic effects. The comprehension of these distortion free conditions is fundamental to our understanding of the features of stereoscopic images.