Improving depth of field resolution for palynological microphotography
Résumé
Optical microscopy continues to be the preferred method for imaging in paleopalynology. While usefulness of other tools, such as the scanning electron microscope, is not questioned, the ease of use and timely results of optical microscopy remains unsurpassed. However, obtaining good quality photomicrographs requires the use of the highest magnifying power objectives available, which are inevitably associated with very limited depth of field. To avoid the need for multiple photomicrographs in order to fully describe each palynomorph, a software solution for reconstructing depth of field is proposed. This solution allows for keeping the main advantages of high magnifying power objectives (better resolution and improved contrast) while suppressing their main weakness. In addition, photomicrographs published using depth of field reconstruction have a more natural appearance, similar to when directly viewed with the eye under the microscope. While this paper deals primarily with the usage of depth of field reconstruction for the enhancement of palynological photomicrograph, the technique can be applied similarly to many other paleontological and geological objects as well.