In the Classroom – Photography and the Light Microscope

The spring semester began January 27, 2016^. A unique class offered at RIT is Photography and the Light Microscope. This class – taught by Professor Michael Peres – was first offered in 1988. It is very popular for the both the technology students as well as those in the arts. MFA students have also enrolled in the course. Photographing the invisible can be  fun and challenging. The range of subjects students explore goes from the common to the not so common. Students are also hopeful to photograph snowflakes during winter although it is never for sure year to  year. While Rochester receives lots of snow each winter, often the snow is not worth the time and effort to photograph it because its appearance is mostly similar to ice chips.

The microscope has proven itself to be an important tool for investigation since its invention in 1595. This course has been designed to go well beyond the basics required for the creation of magnified images. RIT students explore objects using a variety of microscopical techniques including differential interference contrast, fluorescence, phase contrast, reflected light, brightfield, and polarized light. The course investigates both the optical and digital enhancement techniques made possible in contemporary times using state of the art as well as vintage equipment.  One of the first assignments requires students to makes photographs using a cell phone camera and to also make their own microscope using a circa 1900 Bausch & Lomb APO objective lens. Below are a few examples of photographs made this year and in 2011.

A comparison light microscope was used to make this photomicrograph. Image Courtesy of Rachel Rosenbaum

Photomicrograph courtesy of @ tzgoda