Beneath the Sea in 3-D [Hardcover]

Mark Blum (Author, Photographer)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1997

Dive into the world's most exotic waters without even getting wet! This amazing collection of stereoscopic photographs brings to life the spectacular creatures of the deep like never before. A truly foolproof 3-D experience, Beneath the Sea in 3-D is complete with lenses innovatively bound in the hardback cover at precisely the right viewing distance to allow you to go "inside the photograph" and perceive depth and detail far beyond the ability of normal human vision. See eye-to-eye with a luminescent angelfish, go one-on-one with a lively shrimp, and swim surprisingly close to an ethereal jellyfish. Accompanied by descriptive and informative captions, these extraordinary photographs -- sure to amaze and delight readers of all ages -- provide an entertaining glimpse into the incredible range and diversity of life in the sea.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Photographer Mark Blum executes a sterling idea for a book: a collection of stereoscopic images of deep-sea fish and reptiles, with 3-D glasses bound right into the book's cover. The result is an entertaining you-are-there tour of the ocean deeps that appeals to all ages. Some images are of places that are perilous of access, such as a submarine labyrinth off Borneo full of dolphin and turtle skeletons. Others, boasting populations of anemones and barracudas, are easier to get to--for anyone with an aqualung, that is. No matter where they're set, the photographs impart a wonderful sense of adventure and scientific discovery.

Review

-- Sunset, June 1997
Flipping open California photographer Mark Blum's Beneath the Sea in 3-D for the first time is a lot like slipping on a mask and snorkel on a maiden dive. You don't think it'll work, but once you get the hang of it you're surprised at just how much fun it is....

As you peer through the goggles that flip up from the cover, the twin photos merge into a remarkably detailed single three-dimensional image. A green-and-black nudibranch eating tunicates on a head of bright orange coral jumps off the page. Even subtle details, such as the delicate filigree of the translucent tunicates and two tiny red crabs hidden in the coral, stand out. As you dive deeper into this undersea world of creeping lobsters and schooling barracuda, you may find yourself holding your breath.

-- Scuba Times, June 1997
If you have ever spent hours in conversation with non-divers only to fail to describe the intricate beauty of the underwater world, then a new collection of photos by Mark Blum, presented in an innovative way, will help. Beneath the Sea in 3-D is a unique collection of stereophotographs.

No more stuttering and hand waving while you try to explain how it feels to see a grouper swim toward you with its mouth wide open looking for dinner. Just turn to one of the more than 40 3-D photos and have them look through the special lenses that are bound into the back cover of the book.

The stereophotographs are shot with a single camera using two lenses simultaneously. This provides two images taken from two different perspectives. These images are then placed side-by-side and when seen through the 3-D lenses, the brain combines both pictures into one very realistic image that really jumps out at you.

The effect is amazing, bringing out details and characteristics of sea life that go unnoticed in regular photos. With this collection at your side, your non-diving friends will certainly become your newest dive buddies.

Mark Blum has hauled his camera equipment to the Caribbean, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Fiji to create award-winning images. When not diving, he resides in Pacific Grove on Monterey Bay, California.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 96 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (February 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811814122
• ISBN-13: 978-0811814126
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #974,146 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a portion of my book review for INSIDE 3D magazine., January 10, 1998

By 

Dan (Colorado) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beneath the Sea in 3-D (Hardcover)

This book was put out by Chronicle Books, which is the same company that released CALIFORNIA IN DEPTH few years back. The book contains a set of prism lenses built into a special flap connected to the front cover which allows the reader to see the stereo pairs in the book in all of their optimally magnified glory. The views are a collection of the authors best underwater stereo photography work from such places as the south pacific islands of Fiji and Borneo, marine parks in various Carribean islands and off the coast of California. As you peer throught the viewer, you find that it's very easy to lose yourself in that "other" world. In my opinion, one of the best features of the book is that the author decided to include his personal thoughts about the pictures he chose to include. A good example is an image of a Sea Turtle skeleton found deep in an underwater cavern. Apparently the darkness and the twists of the cave walls confused the animal, and it could not escape. Nearby (not in the picture), the author also found the skeletons of a dolphin and a marlin that suffered the same fate. He recounts: "Even with dive lights, I found the intricately chambered cave highly disorienting. When I turned my lights off in the deep recess and imagined being lost there, it was truly terrifying." To sum up, I really treasure this book and hope that Mark chooses to make another one like it in the very near future.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I didn't know what I was in for!, August 3, 2004

By 

A. Reid (NC, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Beneath the Sea in 3-D (Hardcover)

I ordered this book primarily for the benefit of my 7 year old son. We're doing a research project on oceans, and while we have a few good resources, I felt this one, with its 3d imagery, would more likely capture and hold his attention. What I didn't realize was how thoroughly it would capture and hold mine. For me, 3D had always meant multicolored plastic glasses and headaches. Though the book was described as stereoscopic, I didn't understand what that meant. Stereography was something new for me, even if as a form of photography it is over 150 years old.

This is not a matter of red and blue separations; the 3D results from the human eye's trick of blending 2 photos taken (simultaneously) an eye's width apart. Photographer Mark Blum is a pioneer in the art of underwater 3d photography, and his work is beautifully displayed here. Everyone I've shown this book to has been fascinated by it, and I fully expect that when we've finished with our project the book will find its way to permanent display in my home.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous book with stereo 3-D photos!, November 16, 2002

By 

"rlangloi" (Champaign, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beneath the Sea in 3-D (Hardcover)

BENEATH THE SEA IN 3-D

I highly recommended this book for school children and adults alike.

I was introduced to one of Blum's books by a friend and liked it so much that I sought out and bought all of his 3D books. I find the price so reasonable that I've since bought more to give as gifts.

I enjoy looking at the 3-D photos as much as my seven year old son so I already know several adults as well as children who will be getting this book as a gift.

The technical quality of the photos and printing of the books is very good. A magnifying, stereo viewer is built into a unique bi-fold cover of the book A little research showed that this idea is well over a hundred years old (like stereo photography) but I still find it very innovative because it is so rare and unusual.

The photographer has an inspired eye and top technical skill. The underwater photography is amazing. I think the dimension of the ocean really goes well with 3D photos. The colors and forms of the undersea world show so amazingly well in 3D and Blum went all over the world making these photos.

The writing accompanying each image adds to the photos with just the right amount of scientific and general information to serve both young and old reader. I like this book very much and I hope you find this review helpful. I recommend looking for the other 3-D books by Blum. They are all great!