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 photography.

Categories:
Soap Bubbles and Film
June 24, 2026

We loved bubbles when we were kids.

A little soap, a little water, and suddenly there were shimmering spheres floating through the air. We chased them, tried to catch them, and watched them burst...

From Microns to Light Years
June 17, 2026

Most of my photographic work focuses on subjects that are very small and very close.

Using macro lenses, microscope objectives, focus stacking, and controlled lighting, I spend much of my time exploring structures measured in millimeters and microns...

Discovery Under the Microscope
January 12, 2026

Many of my photographs begin with a plan. I select a specimen, think about magnification, consider lighting, and then set out to create a particular image.

This photograph began differently...

Introducing Explorations
September 25, 2025

The new Explorations gallery is where I step outside the strict boundaries of macro photography to follow other visual paths. This space will grow gradually, branching into subjects such as film, astronomy, and other areas that spark curiosity...

Seeing the Unseen: Scientific Phenomena as Visual Art for the Modern Workplace
June 10, 2025

Most office walls are decorated with art that says very little. Landscapes, vague abstracts, muted colors, motivational slogans; they're meant to blend in. But in environments built for focus, innovation, and collaboration, art deserves a more intentional role...

Butterfly Wings: A return to the studio
June 5, 2025

After several months away from the studio, I returned with a renewed focus—this time on the intricate beauty of butterfly and moth wings at high magnification. This image marks the beginning of a new series, using the Venus Laowa Aurogon FF 10–50× NA0...

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...