Mineral Photography

At the inspiring intersection of science and art, Mineral Visions captures the natural beauty of minerals on a microscopic scale. 

Images are derived from actual scientific microscope slides. Each rock slide is hand made, by a process of grinding and slicing. After grinding is complete the rock is a slim 30 microns thick. Essentially translucent at this point, the rock slide is then placed under a powerful scope. Cross polarized light illuminates the rock slide and the brilliance of each mineral grain is revealed. The images chosen are barely enhanced beyond what a scientist would actually see and use for geologic research through the microscope. After creating, viewing and photographing countless microscope slides, images that stand out are selected based on there unique composition and powerful aesthetic.

The Mineral Visions Story

The concept of Mineral Visions lies within my desire to live in an inspired world. I hope we can instill and perpetuate a sense of curiosity, and practice the ability to open our minds to the beauty of our immediate surroundings. 

Mineral Visions is a creative platform I designed to share the magic of light interacting with crystals. Through demonstration I share the magic of cross polarizing light (two polarizing filters) interacting with super thin crystals (ground by hand and adhered to glass). This technique was developed by scientists for the purpose of scientific research. I learned about cross polarization while working in a geologic microscope lab making microscope slides.

Mineral Visions core principals are:

• To provoke a sense of curiosity

• To cultivate appreciation for art and science and illuminate the overlap between the two

• To inspire and encourage others to tap into an undiscovered source of inspiration found in their own day to day work

By reapplying our own sets of skills and talents using a creative lens, we are able to find a limitless source of meaning, purpose and energy. 

By using skills and techniques I picked up throughout my life working various jobs (combined with the motivation and openness to learn from others and self teach) I am able to make my own unique art. Mineral Visions includes necklaces made from recycled microscope slides, shirts, tapestries, photos of minerals beneath the microscope, and mineral chandeliers made form recycled materials.

Like the universe...Mineral Visions is a continuously growing and expanding effort! If you are a local artist or business and would like to collaborate please reach out.  

Projects currently underway include:

• Mineral Photography

• Recycled Slide Necklaces

• Tapestries

• Mineral Pocket Shirts

• Mineral Projection Videos

• Recycled Mineral Windows

• LED Mineral Lanterns

The Artist

 Hello, I'm Tami. I began developing the mineral art platform of Mineral Visions in the summer of 2016. Hired on as a Geo Technician for a small lab in Vancouver, WA, I began to slowly learn the tedious craft of making geologic microscope slides. Glued to the microscope, I started to stay later and later into the night, mesmerized by the beauty of the minerals. Inspired by the naturally iridescent and kaleidoscopic qualities of the minerals, I decided to try to find a way to share mineral photography with the world outside of the geologic lens. With help from the brilliant scientists at the lab, I began photographing minerals and dreaming up potential future projects.

I constantly think up new ways to harness and share the hidden magic within these delicate rock slides. Through hours spent working at the lab, I found a new confidence in my ability to "make" and to create with my own hands. By affording my mind space and time to dip into my imagination, I come up with new strategies to show case and share the beauty of natural world. As Mineral Visions evolves, I will continue to expand on my abilities as an artist. I'm dedicated and open to finding new ways of creating innovative and unique mineral art pieces. 

When I am not daydreaming about the possibilities of mineral art, I enjoy hiking up volcanoes and splashing in rivers! Professionally, I have worked mostly in the scientific field-where I have found endless inspiration. I find the most joy in sharing what I learn from science with others.