The photo as taken with 400mm zoom:
Then a small crop processed in PaintShop Pro X2 to adjust contrast and reduce noise:
Another way to get close, this time to small objects, is to put them under a microscope. I have had a cheap and cheerful microscope for years but after reading Phil's posts in his excellent blog - Beyond the Human Eye - I decided to buy a better quality microscope second hand. At first I tried to photograph using a digital camera over the lens but results were poor to say the least so in the end I invested in a USB camera which fits in place of the top lens in the microscope.
Results are much better but the main problem is lack of depth of field with 3D subjects like this lichen I found growing on a dead twig.
The camera can be seen sticking out of the top of the microscope. I am at the let's see what we can see on this stage and at the moment just admiring the intricate patterns and shapes that Nature creates but are completely overlooked by the unaided eye.
John, a coincidence you have gone down this path, I have been thinking about it. I have dropped the idea as I can't identify half what I see full size.
ReplyDeleteTerrific zoom in on the plane! Fascinating look at the micro-world. Imagine being able to attach a camera to a microscope! Nifty. Great experimentation :) Look forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteA whole new world awaits under the microscope.
ReplyDeleteFascinating John.
Hello Adrian. Nor can I but I can still admire what I see.
ReplyDeleteHello Glo. I was born inquisitive, nay - nosey! I often wonder what my mother used to think when she turned out my coat pockets. As a youngster I used to fill them with caterpillars and whatever else caught my interest.
ReplyDeleteIt is fascinating Keith. Even more so when I can take pictures rather than having to squint through an eyepiece.
ReplyDelete