A micrograph or photomicrograph is a photograph or digital image taken through a microscope or similar device to show a magnified image of an item. This is opposed to a macrographic image, which is at a scale that is visible to the naked eye. Micrography is the practice or art of using microscopes to make photographs.
A micrograph contains extensive details that form the features of a microstructure. A wealth of information can be obtained from a simple micrograph like behavior of the material under different conditions, the phases found in the system, failure analysis, grain size estimation, elemental analysis and so on.
The neuropathologist Solomon C. Fuller designed and created the first photomicrograph in 1900. Micrographs are widely used in all fields of microscopy.
A light micrograph or photomicrograph is a micrograph prepared using an optical microscope, a process referred to as photomicroscopy. At a basic level, photomicroscopy may be performed simply by hooking up a regular camera to a microscope, thereby enabling the user to take photographs at reasonably high magnification.
Roman Vishniac was a pioneer in the field of photomicroscopy, specializing in the photography of living creatures in full motion. He also made major developments in light-interruption photography and color photomicroscopy.
An electron micrograph is a micrograph prepared using an electron microscope. However, the term electron micrograph is not used in electron microscopy. Common designation is a micrograph.
Digital micrography is a digital picture obtained either directly with a microscope or by scanning of a photomicrograph. Digital micrographs are now commonly obtained using a USB microscope attached directly to a home computer or laptop.
Today, an add-on three-in-one macro lens which has capability to take wide-angle, fish-eye and macro with 7x, 14x and 21x magnification can be attached on iPhone5/5s or 5th generation of iPod.
Micrographs usually have micron bars, or magnification ratios, or both.