Customer Reviews

Magnifications: Photography With the Scanning Electron Microscope

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David Scharf is not only a master of the scanning electron microscope, a discipline that requires at least as much skill in sample preparation as it does in manipulating the instrument, but also an excellent photographer. His images are composed and executed as cleanly as any of the greats of photography.

Scharf goes beyond the commonly seen "monster bug from outer space" pictures to bring us images that are true photographs. His "Crane Fly" is more reminiscent of a ballet dancer than an insect. "Aphids Grazing on a Lemon Tree Leaf" has the peaceful, pastoral quality that the title suggests.

The pictures of plant life are my favorites. Some are beautiful patterns found in flower parts ("Candytuft Flower Petal" and "Untitled" Helxine, Baby's tears). "Hibiscus Pistils" reminds me of exploding fireworks. And "Fertilization," a picture of a bean flower, looks like something you'd see from Edward Weston.

Throughout the book you get little glimpses of his sense of humor as well.

This is a book for people who enjoy photography more than it is for scientists, though if you have ever worked with electron microscopy, your appreciation for the quality of the photos is that much greater. When I give presentations on the subject of "Excellence" this book is one of my examples.