FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[trtlman]

I was wondering if anyone does any snowflake photography? I have a question about the processes. When done with a microscope I can figure out everything except lighting. Even in subzero temperatures once you turn a light onto that slide the snow will melt so how do you light it without losing your subject. Also any tips for photographing without a microscope for someone on a very limited budget? I found some schematics online for a setup turning an ordinary camera into a high powered macro camera but it's still out of my budget. Last question, statement really, if anyone does do this photography I would love to see your photos.

[Paul Bordovsky]

Here are some outstanding snowflake pics. Within the article is a link with detailed instructions on how to do this, and the author's equipment and setup.

Oops.....can not post a link on FMF. If you PM me, I will pass along the link...or you can find the link on my facebook page.

[trtlman]

Found the link on your Facebook and that's the one I mentioned in the post. I am on a very limited budget and can't even afford to build a rig. I do have a microscope with a camera which is why I am most interested in doing it that way. The guy in the link must be famous because he comes up a lot when googling snowflake photography.

[Peter]

Google Alexey Kljatov snowflake photographs for others interested

[Jordi Fabre]

[Paul Bordovsky]

Thanks Jordi.

Here is the link to the snowflake photos that I mentioned earlier, produced by the photographer Peter also referenced.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/12/03/alexey-kljatov_n_4373888.html
(link normalized by FMF)

[LeadMineGal]

Those photo's are spectacular! Thanks for sharing the link.

[Pete Richards]

There is is a book of wonderful snowflake crystals by Kenneth Libbrecht with images by Patricia Rasmussen, published by Voyageur Press (2003) called The Snowflake: Winter's Secret Beauty. It is full of images of snowflakes, some of which are very similar in general lighting and appearance to some of the images at the website listed above.

The author and photographer also have a website,
https://www.its.caltech.edu/~atomic/snowcrystals/
(web addressed normalized by FMF moderators)

and it is even possible that some of the images at both sites are identical. If this is so, it is a copyright violation because Libbrecht specifies that his images must be acknowledged when used. I'm not making an accusation because I will not take the time to make the detailed comparison necessary, but just raising awareness of the possibility.

In any case, there are many wonderful images of snowflakes out there!

[Pete Richards]

More on snowflakes: There was an excellent review of snowflake morphology and genesis with instructions for one way of preserving snowflake morphology by my friend Ed Clopton in Rocks & Minerals way back in March/April 1994. Those who want to "capture" snow flakes might like to consult it as well as other articles on the subject.

Clopton, Ed. 1994. Ice as a Mineral. Rocks & Minerals 69(2):90-103. DOI:
10.1080/00357529.1994.9926581

Happy Winter!

[trtlman]

Wonderful link Pete, thanks

[Pierre Joubert]

Glory to the One who made those snowflakes!!! Nice topic Trtlman.

[cascaillou]

Mindat features a few nice pics of ice crystals, those ones are spectacular:

https://www.mindat.org/photo-205087.html

https://www.mindat.org/photo-492897.html

museum class specimens hahaha

[trtlman]

I found out snowflakes can actually be preserved forever and will never melt

https://www.wikihow.com/Preserve-Snowflakes
(link normalized by FMF)

[cascaillou]

As I understand it, they will still melt into water, but you'll have a negative print of the snowflake filled with water.
Also, if you put that water-filled print back in the freezer, the original snowflake crystal won't form again, the water inside the print will simply turn into massive ice, shaped in the form of the original snow flake.

[trtlman]