(Aug2017 Legacy Article:) Photomicrography is the method by which images, magnified through a microscope, are collected by a camera. These images often represent subjects ranging in size from less than 1 millimeter (mm) to 1 2 centimeters (cm). This is opposed to a macrographic image, which is at a scale that is visible to the naked eye.

Used extensively in research applications by professionals, photomicrography has a strong and growing appeal with enthusiast photographers, who find micro-world images of pond water specimens or the crystalline structure of gems both fascinating and beautiful. But what is required to take advantage of this micro-world is more than simply attaching a camera to the optical path of a microscope. The best photomicrographs present an image of a specimen with good exposure in both highlights and shadowed areas, excellent color saturation, and with sharp and crisp details.

Improper focus or blurry images represent the largest source of errors in photomicrography, and much of this is caused by vibrations. Vibrations can cause loss of detail by blurring the image.

A photomicrograph that is not properly focused could be caused by improper adjustment of lens focusing, mechanical shutter movement, manipulation of the microscope, or due to ambient vibrations transmitted through the table or floor up through to the microscope and onto the specimen being photographed. Of these, the most challenging to resolve is ambient vibrations.

Ambient Vibrations
Ambient vibrations can be caused by a multitude of factors. Every structure is transmitting noise. Within the home or building itself, the heating and ventilation system, fans, pumps and elevators are just some of the mechanical devices that create vibration. Movement of people within the structure is another source of vibrations.

Depending on how far away the camera and microscope set-up is from these vibration sources, and where in the structure the set-up is located, whether on the third floor or in the basement, for example, will determine how strongly the photomicrography will be influenced. External to the structure, the camera and microscope set-up can be influenced by vibrations from vehicle movement, nearby construction, noise from aircraft, and even wind and other weather conditions can cause movement of the structure.

Anything that reduces vibration in photomicrography will improve the image results, said Bruce Girrell of Traverse City, Michigan, a serious enthusiast of photomicrography. The tiniest vibrations get magnified. Very often when I am working with a camera mounted to a microscope, it is difficult to focus because of vibrations coming up through the table and floor. Anything that can be done to eliminate ambient vibrations contributes to image clarity.