Eye Of Science

As a youngster, I used to own a science starter set for the up-and-coming junior scientist. The set included a microscope, which I would spend hours looking into at various things like grass, insects, food, blood and many things. My Mom elevated my interest in microscopes when she brought home a wooden box of microscope slides from the hospital she worked at. The slides had various things on them such as skin cells, blood cells, etc. I am hoping to get a new compound microscope again very soon. I have been looking at a few on eBay. The microscopes I have used don't compare to the microscopes I detail below. I found a very interesting site called eye of science. It consists of high powered magnification microscopic photography. There are photographs of human cells at magnifications of x1,500 or more. There are also photographs of bacteria, viruses, fungus, crystals, insects and many more. It is a German site, but on first page is a choice for English. After entering, you can browse the pictures by clicking on the 'Gallery' button on the bottom of screen. Seems they have won several scientific awards for their work. There is also a gift shop where you can purchase posters and books.
Eye of Science is:

Oliver Meckes – Photographer scientific
Photography since 1986

Nicole Ottawa – Dipl. Biologist Scientific
Photography since 1993

"Eye of Science" was founded in 1994

eye of science philosophy:
As a two-person team of photographer and biologist,
our aim is to combine scientific exactness with aesthetic
appearances, and thereby help to bridge the gap
between the world of science and the world of art. We
are committed to the rigorous standards of scientific
investigation, but also to the use of color as a creative
and harmonious tool to achieve beauty. By combining
science and aesthetics we hope to enthuse our audience.
Day after day we explore fascinating forms and structures in
a world beyond human vision.

Here are a few pictures from the site:


This is Pollen of Ragweed at a magnification of x1,200. Common to N. America and is a strong allergen to many people with hay fever. I think these particles floating up any one's nose would cause them to sneeze!

This is a macrophotograph of an embryo of a cat (felis silvestris forma catus) at two weeks gestation. It is only at x10 magnification.


These are fruiting bodies of ergot fungus (claviceps purpurea). This fungus infects cereal crops and grasses, causing a reduced yield. Ingestion of ergot causes poisoning (ergotism) in animals and humans, which can be fatal. Symptoms can include vomiting, gangrene and hallucinations. A number of medical drugs, as well as LSD, are derived from ergot. What a striking resemblance to Psilocybe Cubensis! Magnification is at x50.


This is shark skin (acanthias acanthias) magnified at x70 taken with a colored electron micrograph. These microscopic "scales" is what makes the shark's skin feel rough. It also reduces drag in the water as it swims. On the site it says, this design has been investigated by engineers for use on the surfaces of aircraft and boats