Photo Journal

This journal is a place to document my experiences in macro and microscopic photography, sharing both the process behind my images and the scientific principles they reveal. Whether capturing the crystalline beauty of compounds under polarized light, the intricate details of microbial life, or the dynamic flow of fluorescent fluids, I aim to explain the techniques, challenges, and discoveries that come with exploring these unseen worlds. From lighting setups and focus stacking to the physics and chemistry behind the phenomena, each post serves as both a visual record and a learning experience, inviting readers into the fascinating intersection of art, science, and photograph

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A Closer Look: The Compound Eye of a Fly at 20x Magnification
February 22, 2025

The compound eye of a fly is a remarkable structure designed for motion detection and wide-field vision. Unlike human eyes, which rely on a single lens, a fly’s vision is composed of thousands of hexagonal photoreceptors called ommatidia...

An Ostracod From My Microbe Aquarium
February 18, 2025

Ostracods, commonly known as seed shrimp, are tiny crustaceans encased in a bivalved shell, resembling miniature clams. While often overlooked, they are fascinating microorganisms, exhibiting complex behaviors despite their small size...

Looking at  a Peacock Feather: 4x, 5x, and 10x Magnification
February 13, 2025

Recently, I set out on an exploration of a peacock feather, a subject known for its iridescent beauty but also for its incredible microscopic structures.

What started as a simple 4x magnification focus stack quickly turned into an ambitious deep dive, pushing my gear and techniques further to 5x and finally 10x magnification...

Demonstrating Rayleigh-Taylor Instability with Fluorescent Ink in Water
February 10, 2025

The Rayleigh-Taylor instability is a striking fluid dynamic phenomenon that occurs when a denser fluid is placed above a lighter one in a gravitational field. This imbalance causes the heavier fluid to sink while the lighter fluid rises, creating interwoven plumes and mixing patterns...

The Science of Polarized Light in Microscopy
February 2, 2025

Polarized light microscopy is a powerful tool for visualizing structures that are otherwise invisible under standard brightfield illumination. By leveraging the interaction between polarized light and birefringent materials, this technique reveals intricate details of crystalline structures, biological specimens, and certain synthetic materials...