Self-portrait

Today I propose to you an original photo taken 50 years ago. It is a self-portrait taken under a microscope with a magnification of 40x. At the time I was using this Leitz microscope to photograph the human chromosomes of my little patients born with genetic abnormalities. On the microscope slide I put a small drop of mercury with a diameter of a few millimeters, which reflected the whole room at 360 degrees, practically it behaved like a convex mirror. The drop with its reflection was photographed enlarged 40 times. In the center of the photo, the front lens of the microscope objective with the objective-holder turret is clearly visible, at the bottom I appear, looking into the eyepieces, all with an apparent good depth of field. The apparent poor optical quality did not depend on the instrument used, but on the reflective surface of the mercury drop. A Leitz microscope and Kodak Ektachrome film were used for the photo. I'm glad to hear your comments.

That is an interesting self portrait. Extreme macro. well done. What method did you use to digitize the original?

Absolutely fantastic picture from the past and your explanations, Giangiorgio! It is difficult to imagine anything more original than a selfie under a microscope reflected on the surface of mercury drop 50 years ago! Superb idea and picture! Bravo, Maestro! Sincerely, Tatiana P.S. I'm currently on pause with Photo.net. But it's impossible to miss this photo without a reaction.

Derek, many thanks for you appreciated comment. glad you liked it. I used the Epson 3170 scanner to digitize slides and negatives long ago. Now that I have purchased the Nikon d850, I reproduce the slides and negatives with a 1/1 ratio macro lens. With the D850, the negatives in both B&W and color, are inverted directly in the camera obtaining perfect positives. An effective and extremely fast function. Ciao Giangiorgio

Tatiana I'm happy that this photo has aroused your interest, your appreciation and put it among the favorites. As you can see my passion for photography dates back to at least 65 years, and curiosity is always active. I hope your break period runs out soon, as I miss your excellent creations , ciao Giangiorgio

Hi Giangiorgio,

 

this is one of the most interesting self-portraits I have seen! It's not the fact that you have made it so long ago , although that makes it interesting already, but the way this photo came into being out of the reflection of a drop of mercury under a microscope is really unique. We see a very young Giangiorgio at work here, already showing the traits of a creative photographer 50 years ago. It's very nice to see this old Ektachrome, I like it! Kind regards, Vincent

Very resourceful! It reminds of my experiments to make a macro photos (more close-ups than macro) using my dark room and enlarger, 52 years ago! I would put unexposed film in negative carrier of the enlarger, cover it with towel and illuminate the the subject standing on the place where the photo paper was to be put a few seconds! Good photo, my sincere compliments, Giangiorgio! PDE

A look into the future from the past? Super selfie Giangiorgio, a moment of inspiration.

Regards Tony

Vincent, I'm glad you liked this old image, thank you for your nice comment especially because it was made by a photographer who went through the various stages of photography, from analog to digital with great skill and whose photos are a source of inspiration. ciao Giangiorgio

Grazie mille Pierre for your much appreciated comment, coming as I said to Vincent, from a photographer who did his apprenticeship with analogical, developing his own photos and purchasing the expertise that allowed him, with his creativity, to reach such highs levels, a true Maestro. ciao Giangiorgio

Antony, thank you for your appreciation and great commentary of my photo, ciao Giangiorgio

Giangiorgio....A very unique selfie and highly intricate process out of the reach of most all of us....sort of combining photography with your noble vocation.Bravo for this image and also for your tenacity in this wonderful hobby that we share.Into my Favorites!Salutations amicales-Laurent

Laurent, I'm glad you liked it and put it among your favorites, mille grazie for your generous comment, very nice and appreciated, ciao Giangiorgio

Hi Giangiorgio, thank you for sharing this unique self portrait. It immediately resonates with me on a few levels, not the least of which as a warm reminder of my dad who was also a physician/scientist/photographer. Ciao, Charles.

Charles I'm glad you liked and appreciated this photo. I really enjoyed your generous remembrance of your father. ciao Giangiorgio

Giangiorgio, honestly I have no idea how I overlooked this original, unique self-portrait. It's most definitely something that belongs in NYC's Museum of Modern Art. - - My best always, michael

very creative

Aileen thanks a lot for your visit and beautiful comment, ciao Giangiorgio

Thank you so much Michael for your very generous and much appreciated comment, I'm glad you liked it and put it in the favorites , ciao Giangiorgio