Micro Landscapes

 Abstraction forces you to reach the highest level of the basics.

Alan Soffer

©Tanya Decheva, Soap in water, Micro Landscapes, 2016

In the 3rd year of my studies I got a writing task - Photomicrography. Up until that moment I've seen photos made with a microscope only in biology books. They were purely informative and rarely looked as some kind of art. Then I started my research and came upon the Nikon contest  for microscopic imagery - Nikon Small World. My mind was blown away by the beauty and diversity of colors and forms. As I got deeper and deeper I understood that this is a pure form of photographic abstraction. Even though you are presented with information of what exactly is photographed, these images set your imagination run wild. I felt as if I was looking at an alternative reality. 

©Lars Bech, Emodin melted with urea, 1994

©Lars Bech, Sildenafil (Viagra®) dissolved in ammonia, 1999

©Dr. Margaret Oechsli, Phenyl threonine, 2005

The idea of me taking photomicrographs had already stuck in my head. In the next year of my studies I had to decide what my last project would be. I already knew and when I talked to my professor about the intentions I had, she was thrilled. Now I had to find a microscope. I was overwhelmed by the cost and was ready to give up. And one day I met with a friend...luck has followed me all my life and then again it was by my side. She told me she had a microscope that she didn't use and would love to help me out. That's how it all started.

©Tanya Decheva, Nasal secret, Micro Landscapes, 2016

I had to buy a special adapter to connect my camera to the microscope tube. There was much of studying the microscope as well. You actually do need technical understanding to make these kind of images. After all those years I still am not managing so well. It's not a coincidence that the best micro photographers are not actually photographers - they're biologists, chemists and all kinds of scientists. That didn't stop me. I was experimenting with different accessible samples to observe and photograph. After a while I started using different lighting techniques. 

©Tanya Decheva, Mixtura Alba, Micro Landscapes, 2016

I graduated with the project Micro Landscapes. The exhibition was a success in my eyes, after all that was my first solo exhibition. It was a roller coaster - making my own poster, communicating with the gallery, coordinating the prints and frames. Last year one of the curators told me it was the poorest exhibition that was ever held in the gallery. It hit me hard and I hope that's not entirely true. My interest in the microscopic world hasn't left me. Yes, I've taken a break from the microscope, but now I have a concept for my next project. Starting tomorrow as I buy some Petri dishes and grow my own mold cultures, you would find me immersed in the microscopic universe. 

©Tanya Decheva, Brazilian Agate, Micro Landscapes, 2016

©Tanya Decheva, left: Flower Pollen, right: Dried out Coffe with Milk and Sugar, Micro Landscapes, 2016