Figure 1. This enlarged image of a Peruvian opal showcases the dramatic forms captured by Mike Woodward. Courtesy of Mike Woodward Photography.
At the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, Mike Woodward (San Clemente, California) showcased a collection of stone and fossil photos (figure 1). With their variety of arresting forms, the images resemble abstract paintings or landscapes. Among the featured materials were Australian and Peruvian opal, banded agate, and ammonite. Woodward, a graphic designer by trade, has collected stones since the age of five, and has photographed them for 12 years. The images are captured with a 4 × 5 camera, using a polarized macro lens and a high-resolution digital camera back. They are enlarged as single panels, or triptychs, and available in a variety of formats, including canvas, aluminum prints, and traditional photographic prints.
