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Missouri Senator Chuck Gross
During a Recent Holographic Sitting
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Having a commissioned hologram made is very similar to having photographic work done in a professional studio. First the subject is prepared and style, posing, composition, props, etc., considerations are discussed between the client and the holographer. Next the subject is posed or arranged in front of the camera and a master holographic plate is loaded. (see diagram #1) Unlike a normal photographic setting where the photographer would take the photograph with a camera which holds the light sensitive film, in a holographic studio one needs to envision the whole studio room as the camera. As such, the holographic plates we use are sensitive only to green light and so, prior to shooting, the room must be darkened and illuminated only under red light conditions. |
1. Loading The Master Stage 1: The subject or model to be holographed is placed on the red stool in front of the camera. Illumination of the subject is verified by using the lasers pilot mode. When a satisfactory illumination has been set an unexposed holographic plate (shown in blue) is then loaded into the main plate-holder. |
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After proper posing and scene setups and exposure adjustments are complete the holographic plate is loaded, the laser is triggered and the exposure is made. (see diagram #2) This exposure to laser light takes less than 20 billonths of a second! Normally the initial setting just described is completed in 30-45 minutes. Next the master holographic plate is processed and dried. This usually takes about 1 hour. Now the master hologram can be veiwed and proofed, but only under special laser light. This is a very dramatic experience for most people as the master is like looking through a window and seeing the whole room exactly as it was at the time of exposure in TRUE 3/D! After the master hologram has been proofed and final image planing considerations have been discussed, the client need not be present for the rest of the procedure. |
2. Shooting The Master Stage 2: The control unit is now set for exposure and when the holographer is ready he simply presses a button on a small remote control unit to activate the main flash. Laser light exits from the front two illumination ports (colored green) and from a rear reference port to combine at the holographic plate where a hologram is recorded by interference of the two beams. |
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Now the master transmission hologram must be copied to make the white light reflection hologram that will ultimately be displayed. This is accomplished by inserting the master hologram in the transfer rig and adjusting the virtual 3/D image with respect to how it will intersect the final reflection copy being made. (See diagram #3) With some limitations, some of the subject can project out in front of the final hologram and some of the subject be displayed behind the plate. After both holographic plates are loaded and exposure and image plane adjustments have been set, the laser is triggered and the final reflection copy holographic plate is exposed. (See diagram #4) |
3. Aligning The Transfer Image Stage 3: After the master hologram (shown blue in the diagram above) is processed and dried it is inserted into the transfer rig. The laser is set to pilot mode and a white screen is placed opposite the master hologram in the transfer hologram holder. The holographer is able to align the master hologram by observation of the image projected onto the screen. |
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All that is left is for the final reflection copy holographic plate to be processed and dried. The last step is to laminate a special black film onto the back of the hologram to enhance image brightness and viewing. This whole process can usually be completed the same day. Your hologram is now ready to be framed and displayed for all to see and enjoy! Click here to return to FDH Studio page. |
4. Shooting The Transfer Stage 4: An unexposed holographic plate (colored yellow) is inserted in place of the screen. The laser and control unit are then reset for exposure and the flash is activated by remote control as before. The hologram must then be processed and dried after which it is ready for viewing in white light. |