Regular readers of this blog know that I’m a fan of 3D photography, especially of cars. (If you missed my previous 3D posts on this subject you can see them here and here.) This new book from Sports illustrated photographer, David Klutho, is filled with every kind of vehicle from monster trucks to RC miniature cars, motorcycles to muddy BMX bikes. At 11×11-inches, the book is oversized and reproduction is spectacular and the 80-pages won’t challenges younger reader’s attention spans.

For motorsports fans there’s Klutho’s impressive photographs of NASCAR races and racers but my favorite section is about John Force Racing with images of his racing operation and two knock-your-socks off portraits of his daughter Courtney, a serious funny car racer. These two side-by-side images clearly show the power of 3D photography and the use of pop-off-the-page images elsewhere in the book will keep you and your gearhead offspring entertained during the holidays.

The subject matter in the latter part of the book is clearly aimed at kids and filled with photographs of BMX, skateboards and RC cars. The section on motorcycles is lots of fun with great images of dirt bikes and motocrossers that literally and figuratively jump out off the book. The brief text supports Klutho’s amazing photographs and hey, maybe your kid might learn something too. But reading it together with them—there are two pair of 3D glasses included—will be a guaranteed bonding experience during the holidays and afterwards.

The Colorado English Motoring Conclave celebrated its 30th anniversary of the annual event on Saturday and Sunday, October 5 & 6, 2013, at Oak Park, 64th Place and Oak Street, Arvada, Colorado.  The gathering of over 500 English vehicles (cars, motorcycles, and 4WDs) is the largest in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. But it’s more than a car show, on Saturday the cars take to the roads with a tour and there’s a show on Sunday that I photographed in 3D. Note: You can learn more about how I made these images in a previous post and will need 3D glasses to view the images in this and my other post.

The Colorado English Motoring Conclave was first coordinated in 1983 as a joint effort of the many English car and motorcycle clubs in the Denver metro area. The Austin-Healey, Jaguar, Lotus, MG Car Club, MG T Register, Morris Minor, Rolls Royce, Sunbeam, Triumph, TVR, Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing and British Motorcycle Association clubs all take part in the planning and promotion of this annual event. Now 30 years down the line and The Colorado English Motoring Conclave is the largest and best-known British motoring event in the Rocky Mountains. At the car show, you will see a wide assortment of British marques, learn of sources for specialized services, enjoy food, fun and entertainment in the park, visit local vendors and take advantage of some super deals. Bring the kids and share with them the fun of classic vehicles.

If you have an English car or bike you should enter in 2014 or at least attend the car show. The purpose of the Colorado English Motoring Conclave is to further the operation, preservation and owner participation of the great British marques. The condition of your bike or car is not important! This is an event for ALL British vehicles, from beaters to everyday drivers to Concours examples.  Just look at it as a giant group therapy session.

If you enjoyed today’s blog post and would like to treat Joe to a cup of Earl Grey tea ($2.50), click here.

Along with photographer Barry Staver, Joe is co-author of Better Available Light Digital Photography with new copies are available from Amazon for $21.50 with used copies selling around five bucks. For some reason, the Kindle price varies.

I’ve been a fan of 3D photography since I first saw the movie Bwana Devil in 1952 and have been experimenting with it ever since. Remember the four-lensed Nimslo 3D camera that shot 35mm film that when processed in the company’s photo lab delivered remarkable lenticular prints that had a real 3D look. I recently had a chance to purchase a Panasonic Lumix 3D1. It has two 25mm lenses much like the classic Stereo Realist. I always wanted to own a Realist or even a Kodak Stereo camera but the Lumix 3D1 gave me the chance to do three dimensions digitally.

The Lumix 3D1 can shoot 12-megapixel 3D photos and the Venus processing engine lets it produce high-quality images, including traditional “flat” two-dimensional photos. It can shoot at 8 fps (without auto focusing) and 4 fps (with auto focusing) in full resolution. The 3D1 features a 3.5-inch touch screen on the camera’s back that lets you easily move through camera functions and recorded photos and videos.

In 3D mode the Lumix 3D1 captures two images simultaneously: MPO (Multi Picture Object) three-dimensional files and standard JPEG. The MPO files can be viewed in 3D on your Panasonic 3D TV but won’t display on my Samsung 3D television. An alternative is to use the wonderful and free StereoPhoto Maker software and convert them into the kind of anaglyphic JPEG files you see here and can be viewed using the classic red/cyan 3D glasses. StereoPhoto Maker is Windows only. If you want to view the images here in 3D, you can pick up red/cyan 3D glasses from many sources including Amazon, who used to offer clip-on’s for eyeglass wearers.

Panasonic previously made the Lumix G 12.5mm f/12 lens for the Micro Four-thirds camera system. You can probably find one of these unique lenses with a little Internet searching. I have one and will have a post some 3D images later this year made at car shows and shot with the lens on one of my Panasonic cameras.