Stereo photographs were first introduced in the 1840s as pairs of
daguerreotype photos. But it was in the 1850s and 1860s that they
became popular.
Process
Stereo
photos were taken from slightly different positions, either by moving
the camera between exposures or by using a purpose-built camera with two
lenses.
The two
photos, usually albumen prints each about 3 ins. square were were
mounted beside each other on card usually about 7 ins. x 3.5 ins.
Result
Stereo photos were usually
albumen prints.
A pair of stereo photos,
mounted beside each other on card, were viewed through a viewer to
produce a '3D' effect.
Many Victorian families in
the 1850s and 1860s owned a stereo viewer that enabled them to view
scenes from around the world.
In Edinburgh
Many
photographers from
around the world produced stereo views of Edinburgh.
Several Edinburgh photographers also produced stereo images.