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Mineral PhotographyPhotographing fluorescence
1st Dec 2014 23:01 UTCDennis McCoy
calcite with selenite (left) Dolomite psuedo of aragonite(upper right) and Calcite after glauberite.
Calcite from Mexico
Quartz geode from Mexico with fluorescent mineral frosting.
2nd Dec 2014 01:18 UTCDoug Daniels
15th Dec 2014 00:42 UTCDennis McCoy
Now with a timed exposure I am getting better photos.
here is a group of fluorites.
Same shot with a red filter to kill the blue visible light, leaving only the fluorescence.
Still another fluorite with fluorescent calcite.
19th Dec 2014 18:13 UTCWaterDog
19th Dec 2014 18:49 UTCRonald J. Pellar Expert
19th Dec 2014 20:36 UTCHarold Moritz 🌟 Expert
20th Dec 2014 00:04 UTCChris Clemens Expert
There is some good info in the responses above. In my experience photographing fluorescent minerals, here are a few techniques that have worked for me:
1. A good tripod is mandatory. The camera needs to be rock-solid steady during the exposure to ensure maximum sharpness.
2. As Doug mentioned above, use a black background. A piece of black cloth, velvet, or felt works well.
3. Fill the image with your subject and minimize wasted background space. To do this, most specimens (especially smaller ones) will require the use of the macro setting (button with flower) on your camera.
4. Use a small lens aperture (high f number) and a longer shutter speed during your exposure. The small aperture will provide the greatest depth of field and sharpest image. I typically shoot at f 8 with an exposure time of around 3 seconds, but the best exposure will always be dependent on the intensity of the fluorescent response.
5. Brighter-fluorescing subjects will typically photograph better than dimmer-fluorescing specimens. With some dimmer-fluorescing pieces, you may end up photographing more blue lamp shine than actual fluorescent emission. This seems to be especially true for long wave specimens. Beware.
6. As Harold mentioned, Photoshop (or similar software) can be useful for correcting color balance and/or exposure if necessary. It is also useful for cleaning up the background of the photograph (removing fluorescent lint, dust specks, etc.).
I have attached an example of a recent photograph that I shot of a specimen of calcite, chondrodite, diopside and aragonite from the Long Lake Zinc Mine in Ontario, Canada. Illumination was provided by a 6 watt, short wave lamp (254nm), and the exposure was 3 seconds at f 4.6 at an ISO setting of 200.
Hope these tips help. I have found the photography of fluorescent minerals to be quite addictive!
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Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: March 28, 2024 19:46:09