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  4. Incredible Close-ups of Snowflakes Shot with a Homemade Camera Rig

Incredible Close-ups of Snowflakes Shot with a Homemade Camera Rig

By Kim Renfro / Thisisinsider.com
December 19, 2016
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Credit: Alexey Kljatov
This story originally appeared on Thisisinsider.com. 

Russian photographer Alexey Kljatov is a master of snowflake photography. After using a homemade rig with inexpensive equipment to take stunning close-ups, Kljatov's snowflake photos went viral in 2013.

But he hasn't stopped capturing amazing photos, and now his images are more stunning than ever. Kljatov shared new photos with INSIDER, and thanks to his extensive "how-to" blog post, we learned more about the process behind the images. 

Keep reading for a look at the amazing snowflake crystals and to learn more about how Kljatov works his magic.
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1 of 15

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Kljatov was inspired to try his own snowflake photography after seeing a website called "Snow Crystals" created by a CalTech physics professor named Kenneth Libbrecht.

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

1 of 15

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At first Kljatov believed it was impossible for amateurs to capture photos like these without expensive equipment.

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

2 of 15

3 of 15

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"Now I know that this is completely wrong!" he wrote. "Every photographer with simple point-and-shoot camera can take very good snowflake pictures."

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

Related: Google shows us how much the world has changed in 30 years

3 of 15

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Kljtatov uses what's called a "lens reversal macro technique" with a compact Canon Powershot A650is camera and a lens called the Helios 44M-5.

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

4 of 15

5 of 15

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His favorite "background" is a dark woolen fabric, like the ones we've been showing you so far.Related: Google shows us how much the world has changed in 30 years

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

5 of 15

6 of 15

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"Against this background, snowflakes look very impressive, " he wrote. "Like precious gems in a jewelry store."

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

6 of 15

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But he also uses a glass background to capture the snowflakes in a different light.

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

7 of 15

8 of 15

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You'd never expect such amazing results from the homemade set up.

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

Related: 9 things you never knew about Disney parks, according to a man who played Goofy for 20 years

8 of 15

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For the lighting, he puts a flashlight nearby and uses colored glass patterns to create a subtle background of pinks or yellows.

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

9 of 15

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The result is a gorgeous silhouette of the snowflake that looks almost unreal.

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

10 of 15

11 of 15

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Once the glass sheet is completely covered with snowflakes, Kljatov wipes it clean with a dry towel and starts over.

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

11 of 15

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For both photo types, Kljatov actually took a series of pictures of the same snowflake.

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

12 of 15

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13 of 15

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Then he aligned all the images on top of each other.

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

Related: 19 award-winning photos that will make you fall in love with nature

13 of 15

14 of 15

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This is called "averaging, " and helps to reveal more details that might be missed in a single picture.

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

14 of 15

15 of 15

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Kljatov said he usually takes 8 to 10 pictures of each snowflake.

Credit: Alexey Kljatov

For more, click here.

15 of 15

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By Kim Renfro / Thisisinsider.com

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1 of 15 Kljatov was inspired to try his own snowflake photography after seeing a website called "Snow Crystals" created by a CalTech physics professor named Kenneth Libbrecht.
2 of 15 At first Kljatov believed it was impossible for amateurs to capture photos like these without expensive equipment.
3 of 15 "Now I know that this is completely wrong!" he wrote. "Every photographer with simple point-and-shoot camera can take very good snowflake pictures."
4 of 15 Kljtatov uses what's called a "lens reversal macro technique" with a compact Canon Powershot A650is camera and a lens called the Helios 44M-5.
5 of 15 His favorite "background" is a dark woolen fabric, like the ones we've been showing you so far.Related: Google shows us how much the world has changed in 30 years
6 of 15 "Against this background, snowflakes look very impressive, " he wrote. "Like precious gems in a jewelry store."
7 of 15 But he also uses a glass background to capture the snowflakes in a different light.
8 of 15 You'd never expect such amazing results from the homemade set up.
9 of 15 For the lighting, he puts a flashlight nearby and uses colored glass patterns to create a subtle background of pinks or yellows.
10 of 15 The result is a gorgeous silhouette of the snowflake that looks almost unreal.
11 of 15 Once the glass sheet is completely covered with snowflakes, Kljatov wipes it clean with a dry towel and starts over.
12 of 15 For both photo types, Kljatov actually took a series of pictures of the same snowflake.
13 of 15 Then he aligned all the images on top of each other.
14 of 15 This is called "averaging, " and helps to reveal more details that might be missed in a single picture.
15 of 15 Kljatov said he usually takes 8 to 10 pictures of each snowflake.

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Incredible Close-ups of Snowflakes Shot with a Homemade Camera Rig
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