Posts that relate to the Keyword: Photography

How to obtain the best resolution with your microscope

The resolution that a microscope is capable of achieving is probably the single most important factor that determines the quality of a microscopic image. Without a sufficiently high resolution, magnification is not possible without loss of quality. There are a variety of different factors that determine the achievable resolution. Some of these factors can not be actively influenced by the microscopist, others can. Some of the factors play a larger role, others a smaller one. In the following post, I want to summarize some of these factors.

How to make macro images

This time I’d like to talk about a topic which is only indirectly related to microscopy: macro imaging. Taking high-quality macro images can be quite a challenge and can involve quite a bit of trial and error until one has found the ideal conditions. The pictures of the rose have been taken with a Sigma [...]

Dandelion parachute ball up close

This is one of the first tries taking pictures with my new Sigma objective, and I have to admit that I’m very satisfied with the lens. The lens does not include image stabilization, a steady tripod is therefore a must. Contrast was slightly enhanced to make the background (my computer screen!) completely black. Mirror lock-up [...]

Virtual microscope: Male flower of a pine tree (Pinus)

The male pine cone (or flower) is responsible for forming pollen. These pollen grains are also visible in the image above. For a zoom-able image of a female pine cone, visit the following link:

Köhler illumination to reduce reflections

The Köhler (or Koehler or Kohler) field diaphragm is located above the light source. It is responsible for controlling the width of the light beam (but not its intensity). The light source of a microscope without Köhler illumination will illuminate the whole specimen, which may be the source of stray light and excessive heating of [...]

Digital methods for improving microscopic photographs

Digital photography gives the users many new possibilities in improving photographs taken through the microscope. This post gives an overview of the different image processing functions that can be applied to microscopic images. This post places a focus on what is possible, but does not explain the “how” part. This is something that I plan [...]

Required camera resolution for photography through the microscope

My digital camera (a Canon EOS 450d) is capable of taking pictures at 3MP, 6 MP and 12 MP (MP=megapixels). Which setting should one choose to obtain the optimum results? If the camera resolution is too low, then this will result in the loss of image detail (but a small file). A resolution setting which [...]

Taking stable photographs with a microscope

Specimens which are suspended in water are not completely immobilized. Small objects will start to vibrate when one is tapping on the table on which the microscope stands. The optics of the microscope will magnify even the smallest vibrations. These vibrations become problematic when taking pictures with a photo camera which is mounted directly to [...]