The Process
There are several steps that lead to a compelling image
of an insect embedded in amber.
Acquire Amber Specimen
It all starts with getting an interesting insect in a piece of Amber. Amber is found around the world – Latin America, the Baltic in Europe and Myanmar in Asia. I buy them a mineral shows and jewelry shops and receive them as gifts from traveling friends. Often insects are found in jewelry. It is important to look carefully for an interesting inclusion and beware of forgeries.
Photograph Specimen
After selecting the right specimen, it is critical that it be optically clear as possible. Often the amber will require additional polishing. Then it will need to be lit carefully for the best and most dramatic view. The camera is mounted with a computer-controlled step and repeat slide mounting and each photo image will be sent to the computer. Often there will be hundreds of images that will need to be composited into the final image.
Digitally Enhance Image
The stacking software combines the dozens or hundreds of snapshots into a single image. However at that point, all the detritus or bubbles around the insect may blur the image. Then either other photos are taken from other angles, or it is “cleaned up” in Photoshop. This can take days or weeks. The final image is often dramatically different from the original composited image.