The hidden world around us

A journey into the invisible worlds revealed through microscopy, photography and curiosity.

Melted Chemicals

Under polarized light, melting crystals reveal changing molecular structures, phase transitions and unexpected patterns.

Evaporated Chemicals

Evaporation reveals the invisible chemistry within liquids, leaving behind crystalline structures shaped by concentration, temperature and time.

Geodes

Within tiny trapped air bubbles, melting crystals create miniature geodes — hidden chambers where chemistry, heat and time shape delicate crystal worlds.

Ice Crystals

As water freezes/melts, ice crystals form intricate structures that bend and split polarized light, revealing a hidden world of colour, symmetry and texture.

Tamari Soy Sauce Crystals

A familiar ingredient from the kitchen is transformed into a microscopic landscape — showing the beauty hidden within everyday materials and the chemistry that surrounds us.

Soap Films

Thin soap films reveal a hidden world of colour, created by interference, stress and the delicate balance of surfaces.

Rock Thin Sections

Viewed through polarized light, rock sections just 30 µm thick reveal their mineral structure through striking colours, textures and crystalline patterns. The sections were photographed in multiple frames at 4× magnification and stitched together to create a detailed view of the complete sample. Specimens collected in South Africa were prepared and provided by the University of Johannesburg’s Department of Geology.

Stressed Plastics

When stretched or deformed, plastics develop internal stresses that alter the path of light, revealing colourful patterns through cross-polarized microscopy.

Mirrored Worlds

By copying, flipping and repeating parts of a photomicrograph, hidden patterns and symmetry emerge. This digital transformation reveals new abstract landscapes from microscopic structures, blending science,
photography and imagination.

Corporate Installations

Selected photomicrographs have also been produced as large-format artworks for a corporate client. The images were printed on A1 canvas and protected with a UV-resistant film. These installations bring microscopic structures, colour and science into the working environment.

Publications

Home-built Microscopes

The photomicrographs on this webpage are created using microscopes & optical setups that I have built or adapted myself. Experimenting with lenses, lighting, polarization and homemade components is part of the journey — sometimes the equipment is as much an experiment as the photomicrograph. Magnifications range from 2x to 50x.

Focusing is controlled by stepper motors & Arduino microcontrollers, operated remotely to
minimise vibration while taking photographs.

Wearable Art

Photomicroscopy desings