A little more Topaz

I am still trying to see what all I can do with the Topaz programs.  I like the fact that they can be accessed directly from Lightroom, and I can see where it will take a bit of time to really learn their true value.  Here is one that surprised me a bit.  This is a snowflake photo that shows some amazing colors--presumably because of slight color differences that are not visible in the original image.

Keep in mind that the snowflake itself has no color!  As usual, you can click on the image to get the full-scale version.

More Snow!

I have tried about four different setups to get decent photographs of snowflakes and I am starting to appreciate some of the early photographers (especially Wilson Bently).  I cannot imagine having to work with glass plates, developing, and all the other steps that were involved to get a single good picture.  With the modern digital cameras it is easy (believe me!) to take several hundred photos in a matter of an hour or less, and with digital imaging techniques the images can be enhanced and printed with ease.  The collage shown represents about two hours of work (play?).  I find that using the various filters in Photoshop really makes the image stand out--especially the "glowing edge" filter.  I have included one unretouched image so you can see what they look like straight from the camera. Several of the images required multiple shots to increase the depth of field or because the snowflake was larger than the field of view.  Photoshop was used for both stitching and depth of field manipulation. Three different microscope setups were used and I can't really say one is better than the others.  A major problem is getting the best lighting although I guess one does not have to worry about the color.

The Elusive Snowflake.....

I never did get any better photographs of snowflakes last year so I decided to try again this year. I have an old inspection scope body that I was able to fit with a long working distance objective and the my D80 with a T mount adapter for the eyepiece. By using a front surface mirror I can collect snowflakes on glass microscope slides which go on the small platform shown. An inexpensive LED goose-neck light can be easily (ha!) adjusted to illuminate the snowflake at night. The quality of snowflakes last night was not too good (don't blame me) but at least I have something set up that should be good when the good snowflakes arrive!