One of the most fascinating things that can be performed with the use of the microscope is to take still and video photographs of specimens to study, admire and share.  Today, microscope photography has advanced well, offering some of the best in terms of technology, technique, parts and materials.  It has also progressed to become a very easy science to learn, expanding its use beyond medical and research and allowing hobbyists access to one of the most awe-inspiring sciences today.

Microscope photography is not a complicated technique.  In fact, with the available technology and equipment today, nearly anyone with the interest and the basic knowledge can take pictures of the most minute of organisms and specimens.  Even the most basic 35 mm SLR cameras may be used in this technique, eliminating the myth that there is a need for highly advanced or sophisticated photography tools in order to perform photomicrography.

The science of taxidermy
Microscope photography has made it possible for many hobbies and businesses to flourish and improve.  One of these is taxidermy.  Taxidermy is one of those techniques that may be practiced by professionals and amateurs.  It is a technique that has been used for three and a half centuries, dating back to the 17th century India.  The term taxidermy is sourced from Greek ‘taxis’ which means movement and ‘derma’ which means skin.

Taxidermy is the art and technique of mounting through preservation and stuffing of animals.  This is often performed to reproduce specimens for study and display or to use to form part of a collection.  It is a technique that can be performed on virtually all types of animals, regardless of size, shape or species.  To perform techniques in taxidermy, a practitioner must have a background in animal anatomy, dissection, tanning and sculpture.  It is also important that the practitioner is familiar with painting techniques since this will be required in the course of the job.

Contrary to what some people believe, taxidermy does not involve preserving the whole animal.  Generally, it is the skin and some body parts such as the beak, antlers, horns, nails and others that will not easily rot.  Mounting a deer, for example, will only require the skin and the antlers.  The rest, including organs, tissues, muscles and bones, are often man-made.

How taxidermy began
Taxidermy, like most of the techniques still active today, began as a simple practice.  It grew out of the demand that developed in the 1600s and 1700s for better and higher quality leather.  By the time the 1800s rolled around, hunters had begun asking upholstery shops to sew and stuff their animal trophies.  This was how the term taxidermy was first alternated with the word ’stuffing’.  Today, however, taxidermy is more known by the term that most professionals in this business prefer – ‘mounting’.

The 20th century helped usher the improvement of taxidermy techniques and equipment, thanks to professionals like Carl Akeley (for whom the taxidermy technique ‘Akeley Method’ is named, Leon pray, William Hornaday and James Clark, among others.  No longer was taxidermy a science that dealt with ’stuffing’ – it became the art of mounting, producing preserved animal specimens that were not only anatomically accurate but also posed realistically.  Preference was also set on producing life-like mounts, with accurate colors and details.

Techniques of taxidermy
One of the most popular techniques of taxidermy is the Akeley method, named after one of the pioneers of this industry.  Using this method, a mold of the animal’s body is formed using plaster, which is then used as a cast to form a mannequin.  Another method is to form a clay mannequin of the animal before it is cast.  It is then built from there, as taxidermists add feathers, scales, skin, glass eyes, plastic beaks and other parts.

Another technique involving taxidermy is freeze-drying, a popular method used with small mammals, reptiles and birds.  Pet owners prefer this technique although most hobbyists and professionals tend to stay away from it because it takes more time to perform and is much more costly.

There are certain types of practices in hunting or fishing that often require a different technique of taxidermy.  This method, more commonly known as reproduction taxidermy, involves creating a cast of the animal (usually a fish) and then taking digital photographs of the fish itself and using that to cover the mannequin.  This is a much more preferred technique that allows hunters to practice catch-and-release methods and is well-supported by many organizations and individuals promoting animal rights.

Uses of taxidermy
Taxidermy techniques were first used mainly to preserve a whole animal, often for display.  These days, however, it has become the common method to mount specimens, usually to keep as samples or to preserve rare species.  Today, mounted specimens are used for display in private collections while majority of these specimens are used to be kept in museums for public viewing.

As a craft, taxidermy is often used in conjunction with other crafts, including molding, casting, carpentry, woodworking and of course, tanning. Continue research on this page