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Photo Facets: Scientific Photography
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Photography provides evidence of what we see; it also can record stages of a process. This ability to document both cause and effect has always made it a strong partner with science and scientific investigation. The limits of photographic technology have always defined the extent to which it could be used--in the nineteenth century, when films had very low less light sensitivity and optics had a more limited range, photography was used to record apparent, or readily visible subjects. Today, with microscope adapters and strobes that can fire at super-fast speeds, photography's partnership with science seems limitless, and shows us worlds invisible to the naked eye.
Virtually any field of investigation, be it astronomy, geology, biology, medicine or physics, uses photographic techniques and instruments in the work. Scientific photographers are highly trained and specialized practitioners who use instruments that only institutional budgets can afford. Tasks are very specific, and serve the needs of researchers who pose problems that are solved by highly-trained photographic technicians. 
The demands of science have spurred a number of breakthroughs in photographic materials. The strobe, or electronic flash, was first developed in order to capture split-second images of objects in motion. Infrared film was first used in medical and biological research. Many of the techniques and tools used in close-up photography were developed for purposes of investigation. The entire field of underwater photography and cameras was created to aid marine biology and research.
And digital imaging itself grew from scientific research, although it must be admitted that spying was too often the major impetus. 
While many of us can enjoy the benefits of scientific photography in our own work (with fast strobes, close-up lenses and super-fast films), those seeking work in the field should investigate technical schools for courses of study, and touch base with the various societies of technical and scientific photographers. A highly-developed skill level is required, as are years of study and on-the-job experience.
Digital and computer-aided photography is playing an ever-increasing role in scientific photography. While astronauts still take film-based still cameras into space, the instant capture and feedback, and various software programs dedicated to scientific work, has made understanding digital imaging an important part of every scientific photographer's work. |
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