Dark Sand in x1000 Magnification

Substance Studies – Dark Sand (Northern UK)
#macro #magnification #substance #extrememacro #sand #microscopy

Sand isnt definition of surface type but the size of its components. Sand basically is any sediment based structure crumbled to the grain size of 0.25mm-2mm.
Sediments with smaller grain sizes are classified as silt or mud while larger grain sizes are classified as gravel or boulders.

There are as many types and colors of sand as types and colors of sediments. So the sand can be redish, brown, white or yellow.
From color research point of view, it is a great example of distortion of human perception. Basicaly, as humans, we the world in its very simplified version and as log we dont pay attention to individual elements, picture substances in simlified, uniform color form.
In reality, each substance we see is composed of many mixed, totally different individual subtances and components and each of these responds to the light slightly differently. And they way all these componets responds to the light as a whole, defines the final substance look.

To better understand the light response when it hits the sand surface, I captured it in different magnification levels in 6500K light temperature.
The average measured albedo of this exact sand type in 0-255 PBR range and sRGB was R112, G100, B87 with relative luminance level at 0.398.

Just to make it clear, these values should be taken with a grain of salt as in practice measurements differ depending on exact spot, even when measured within same, a very small sample. This zoomification hopefully helps to get better understanding why.

Last but not least, I believe I found the way to significantly improve image quality for the highest magnification levels.
I have realised that it is not as much about the gear used as I initially thought, but rather about sample/specimen preparation. Apparently the specimen preparation is an entire, very complex skillset I need to acquire if I want to receive even better quality results.

I hope this video is interesting and fun to watch
Cheers and till the next one!
G.