Query about preparation of slide for salt crystals

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dragonblade
Posts: 200
Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 11:16 pm

Query about preparation of slide for salt crystals

Post by dragonblade »

I have noted that some people use salt solutions in water and allow that to evaporate on a slide. I'm hoping to do the same with samples of sea water as I live close to the beach. Hopefully, I can get some interesting crystal formations appearing under my microscope which I plan to shoot in time lapse. I haven't done this before and I'm under the assumption that you would not use a cover slip for this?

Olympusman
Posts: 5090
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:31 pm

Re: Query about preparation of slide for salt crystals

Post by Olympusman »

When I make slides of solutions to dry out for photography, I usually put three drops on three slides, giving me nine sample. You do not need to use a cover slip. I have tried force drying with a coffee cup warmer, but I have found I get the best results letting the slides air dry on a windowsill. I have found this allows trace chemicals in the solution to find each other when the crystals form.

Mike
Michael Reese Much FRMS EMS Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

dragonblade
Posts: 200
Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 11:16 pm

Re: Query about preparation of slide for salt crystals

Post by dragonblade »

Thank you for the tips. I have seen some awesome imagery of crystals from you in the gallery here. Really great work.

At first, I was thinking of leaving the slides out on an outdoor table in the backyard but I'll put them on a window sill like you suggest. Roughly how long do you reckon it will take for the water samples to evaporate? I guess this would depend on the ambient temperature.

Olympusman
Posts: 5090
Joined: Sun Jan 15, 2012 12:31 pm

Re: Query about preparation of slide for salt crystals

Post by Olympusman »

I would say over night.

Mike
Michael Reese Much FRMS EMS Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA

dragonblade
Posts: 200
Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 11:16 pm

Re: Query about preparation of slide for salt crystals

Post by dragonblade »

Overnight? That's a long period of time. Since I'll be shooting time lapse through the microscope, I might try and leave the slide out on an outdoor table on a sunny day to speed up the evaporation. I would like to start shooting just as the water begins to evaporate and allow the camera to keep running, clicking away frames as the crystals expand.

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