Murphy Hektner, APSA
October 2025 - Abstract Design
About the Image(s)
This single image of melted moth crystals sandwiched between two pieces (2 inch by 2 inch) of slide mounting glass. The area photographed was about 1 inch across the horizontal format with my tripod mounted Nikon D300 with a 200 mm macro lens and a 20 mm extension tube (1/50 sec, f/14, ISO 200). My 200mm macro lens would not focus in this close, hence the reason for the extension tube. Photographed in my home studio.
Moth crystal melted creates brilliant colors. It is easy to obtain colors with blobs of color going in every direction. The challenge is to obtain an attractive design with a center of interest. A craquelure filter was used to add texture.
7 comments posted
Hi Murphy,
Beautiful abstract image made from a melted crystal.
A keeper (like many of your creations...).
I also occasionally use extension tubes. They can be quite handy to transform essentially any lens into a macro lens (As long as someone does not need to focus at infinity!) Posted: 10/10/2025 21:42:02
Beautiful abstract image made from a melted crystal.
A keeper (like many of your creations...).
I also occasionally use extension tubes. They can be quite handy to transform essentially any lens into a macro lens (As long as someone does not need to focus at infinity!) Posted: 10/10/2025 21:42:02
Hi Pierre: Pleased you liked the crystal abstract.
The only time I use extension tubes is when my macro lenses will not focus in close close enough to obtain the picture I want to capture. Achieving enough depth of field on some subjects such as really close in pictures of a flower is difficult unless you are using focus stacking.
The crystal picture was shot on a piece of glass so depth of field was not an issue. Posted: 10/11/2025 08:10:09
The only time I use extension tubes is when my macro lenses will not focus in close close enough to obtain the picture I want to capture. Achieving enough depth of field on some subjects such as really close in pictures of a flower is difficult unless you are using focus stacking.
The crystal picture was shot on a piece of glass so depth of field was not an issue. Posted: 10/11/2025 08:10:09
Hi Murphy! It's a lovely abstract but not sure what a moth crystal is. Here in Texas we have moth balls. Is that the same thing? If so, I am curious how you came about the beautiful colors in your creation. It's a lovely shot and looks like a painting. Posted: 10/20/2025 01:21:05
Hi Barbara: The medium used to create the Abstract Design picture was moth balls melted onto a piece of glass. When the melt dries out a design of crystals forms on the glass. You cannot see any colors until the glass is double polarized by two polarizing filters, one in front of the glass containing the crystals and another in back of the glass.
The actual process is detailed and too long to be included here. Barbara, if you or anyone in our circuit is interested in photographing crystals in this specific manner, just let me know. I would be glad to email you instructions with a few pictures of my set-up. Posted: 10/21/2025 19:21:15
The actual process is detailed and too long to be included here. Barbara, if you or anyone in our circuit is interested in photographing crystals in this specific manner, just let me know. I would be glad to email you instructions with a few pictures of my set-up. Posted: 10/21/2025 19:21:15
What a fun abstract image. Interesting to hear of the methodology and efforts that went into obtaining such an image. It is challenging to critique such an image as there is such a large creative and personal aspect to the shot. I do like the different colors and defined abstract shapes which is what I feel the image is all about. To my eye this is less about the crystals themselves and more about tine color, shapes and forms within. If I had to suggest changes (which I am a bit reluctant to do with these artistic images) the image does appear a bit flat. Adding a bit more contrast, and perhaps selectively darkening the outside elements might add back a bit of dimension to the presentation. I have provided an example of this, although you well may not agree with the choices I made in this effort. My goal was to demonstrate what I felt in regard to a flat vs more dimensioned presentation. See what you think. If what I suggest here is moving the image away from your personal vision, please ignore my thoughts here. Regardless, an interesting an striking image. Posted: 10/21/2025 20:06:00
Hi Charlie: Pleased you enjoyed the colorful abstract. Your version is kind of a variation of the theme, perhaps 1/3 f stop less exposure and added contrast which changed the outer colors a little.
So far I have used moth balls and tartaric power melted into liquid form to create the vivid colors. If one Googles crystal photography there are other chemicals that can be used. This winter I plan on experimenting with some of those to see what I can come up with. Posted: 10/22/2025 14:20:40
So far I have used moth balls and tartaric power melted into liquid form to create the vivid colors. If one Googles crystal photography there are other chemicals that can be used. This winter I plan on experimenting with some of those to see what I can come up with. Posted: 10/22/2025 14:20:40
It is a "variation on a theme" and was not intended on being 'better'. Here I was trying to demonstrate what I meant by being a bit "flat" in my comments. Take my thoughts with as much salt as you care. Posted: 10/22/2025 18:02:29