Microphotography

The article deals with microphotography, i.e. creating microphotos.

Camera mode (settings)

Exposure compensation:

• None.

White balance:

• Normal.

Focusing

Setting live view:

• Rench (II).
  • Live view function settings.
    • Live View shoot.
• Press "Set" button to open the shutter.

Use the zoom button (on the camera): press twice to digitally magnify 10x.

• Focus microscope as usual (@ 10x digital magnification).

Post-processing

GIMP scripts:

• White-balance.
• Shadows & highlight.

White balance

• May be done with:
  • White balance plugin.
  • Curves function (in GIMP).

Curves function (in GIMP)

• Adjust magnitude, then blue, then green -- red should be last.
  • Low magnification images tend toward "too pink" with the white-balance script.

White balance plugin (script)

Procedure:

1. Select
   • Filters.
     • Colors.
       • White balance.
2. Use eye dropper to select what should be white on the image.
3. Set to "background color".

Edge effects/vignetting

The lens distortion/lighting effects at edge of image are known as: "barrel distortion" and "vignetting".

Notes:

• http://www.gimp.org/release-notes/gimp-2.4.html.
• http://www.gimp.org/release-notes/gimp-2.4-videos.html.

De-vignetting (GIMP)

1. Take picture as one wants.
2. Remove slide and shoot the background.

In GIMP:

1. Load image.
2. Load background as a layer ("Open as layer... ").
3. Make background into an "overlay" in Layers dialog box.
4. Invert background.
5. Save as jpg (merge with background).

Stitching

• A technique to increase the field of view.

Software:

• Hugin (sourceforge.net).

Image:

• Example of stitching (WC).

Focus stacking

• A technique to increase the depth of field.

Software:

• Hugin (sourceforge.net).

Image:

• Example of focus stacking (WC).

See also

• Microscope.
• Digital ISO.
• Micrographs.

External links

• Martin Microscope company (martinmicroscope.com).