Polarized Light Photomicroscopy
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Beautiful, dynamic abstract photos
can be taken relatively easily if you have a microscope that can be borrowed
from a high school biology lab. All that is needed are common crystals found
around the house such as sugar, Epson salts, or citric acid, and two polarizing
filters, such as those used on thirty five mm cameras. An adapter is also needed to attach the microscope column to the camera
body.
The crystals are dissolved in water; then the solution is spread evenly over a microscope slide and allowed to dry. One polarizing filter is placed below the slide and one filter is placed above the slide. As light passes through the filers, the crystals, and the microscope lenses, the image is recorded in the camera body.
Creativity occurs by placing colorless plastic sheets between the Polaroid filters and rotating them. The variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and thickness of the individual crystals make beautiful abstract works of art. The crystals must be anisotropic or no color will appear. For example, salt crystals produce no color, while sugar crystals produce a kaleidoscope of color. The resemblance of the crystals to abstract works of art is remarkable.
The crystals are dissolved in water; then the solution is spread evenly over a microscope slide and allowed to dry. One polarizing filter is placed below the slide and one filter is placed above the slide. As light passes through the filers, the crystals, and the microscope lenses, the image is recorded in the camera body.
Creativity occurs by placing colorless plastic sheets between the Polaroid filters and rotating them. The variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and thickness of the individual crystals make beautiful abstract works of art. The crystals must be anisotropic or no color will appear. For example, salt crystals produce no color, while sugar crystals produce a kaleidoscope of color. The resemblance of the crystals to abstract works of art is remarkable.
_Click on each picture to enjoy a larger image:
Copyright 2012 Jerry Saxon