by Tina Sommers
January 30, 2023

Crystals of Callus remover taken with Polarized Light microscopy 40X

     A passion for art, travel and fine food. The love of color, nature and quality. Genuine, engaging, curious, thoughtful, savvy, organized...that’s a snapshot of TINA!

     Since my earliest days as a child, color and exploration were a continuous and consistent passion of my life’s artistic journey—from Crayons, Magic Markers and Lite-Brite to the digital landscape of Macintosh computers, digital photography and immersive experiences. I was always drawn to colors, patterns, textures spending endless hours combining them in a variety of ways. My parents were very influential in my life and we took many summer vacations together exploring new destinations always finding something new to see such as: botanical gardens, noteworthy aquariums, art museums, national parks, historic monuments, amusement parks and factory tours.

Crystals viewed by Polarized light microscopy 40X

     Between the art and travel, I picked up photography for it was a natural and interesting way to incorporate both hobbies. On our trips, postcards were highest on my list for I enjoyed sending them as well as having wonderful memories to bring back with me when we returned. I was always good at organization and when it came down to picking a major, I opted for Graphic Design for the job security over Photography and attended Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) in Savannah, Georgia earning my Bachelors degree in Graphic Design.

Crystals by polarized light microscopy

     Fortunately all three of my corporate jobs were in-house art departments involving Visual Presentation, Creative Services/Corporate Communications and Marketing. All different industries yet photography seemed to always play a overlapping role within each position. My design work has a contemporary aesthetic, vibrant color palette and use of beautiful typography. I began my career at Caldor, (a large retail store similar to Target) designing in-store media for all of the stores which involved a seasonal fashion photo shoot program. Then managed a Creative Services team for a financial services team involving in corporate Identity, annual reports & photography. And currently working in luxury hospitality as a Brand Marketing Manager designing collateral, photographing hotels and creating partnerships.

Crystals by polarized light microscopy 40X

     As for camera equipment, I started with a Pentax K1000 in college as my foundation camera. Then evolved into digital with a Fuji Finepix point-n-shoot and eventually to a Canon EOS 5D Mark II. Fortunately I worked, saved and used my vacations to travel extensively and photograph many stunning locations involving nature, landscape, architecture, lifestyle and food. Some of my favorite trips were with my Mom taking a safari in Tanzania during the Great Migration and birthing season as well as a cruise in the South Pacific to Tahiti, Bora Bora and surrounding islands.

     Thinking back on my childhood, I was always inspired by these Zeiss calendars which my dad brought home and shared with us from the glass industry. Their annual calendars featured vibrant images of Photomicrography. I always wanted to observe and photograph all of the beautiful colors and patterns under the microscope. And after the pandemic my wish came true. I discovered an online professional photographer, Robert Berdan who offers Photomicrographic Workshops at his home studio in Calgary, Canada.

Crystals by polarized light microscopy 40X

Above are various crystals photographed by Polarizing microscopy

     I enjoyed learning about the tips and tricks for creating slides of a variety of crystals using Vitamin C, Citric acid, Amino acids, and Callus remover under the microscope and was fascinated by the symmetry and patterns of color using a polarized light and a wave plate. My favorite part was capturing stunning compositions of color, patterns and textures while using a scientific approach through the lens and appreciation of a creative. With the assistance of Robert’s expertise and equipment his Photomicroscopy Workshop made for a rewarding trip of exploration, beauty and rediscovery.

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Authors Biography & Contact Information

BIO
     Tina is an award-winning photographer and design professional. A graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), she was awarded the 2016 SCAD Alumni Atelier Artist Ambassadorship and in 2023 a Certificate of Artistic Merit from the Luxembourg Art Prize Jury. Her work has been recognized by Travel + Leisure, Abercrombie & Kent, Tablet Hotels, Marriott’s MOXY Hotel, Milan, Connecticut Art Directors Club and City Lights Gallery. She is currently a Global Influencer Panelist with Travel + Leisure, and works as a Brand Marketing Manager for Delamar Hotels in Connecticut, USA.

SOCIAL
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WEBSITE
https://tinasommers.com