Introduction to the KAGE world of microphotography
Welcome to the world of small miracles
Microphotography, as a third eye, unveils the ingenious basic structures of a cosmic
design that makes the beauty
and sensitivity of our life visible to us. For 40 years
the goal of our work has been to use modern microscopes to transform the network
of
these wonderful microcosms into photographic works of art.
About KAGE
Professional “microphotography” is inseparably linked with the name KAGE and was co-created by Prof. Manfred P. Kage in Germany. For decades KAGE has used modern technologies to delve into totally new worlds that make the unimaginable imaginable and thus bridge galactic distances. And all this in scientific aesthetics in a dimension of their own.
Today KAGE Microphotography is a family business run together with Christina
KAGE
and Ninja-Nadine KAGE. On the one hand it is an institute for scientific
photography with its own image archive, on the other hand it also carries out
all kinds of commissioned photography.
Manfred P. KAGE has made himself a name as a commission photographer, whether for magazines like “GEO” and “Bild der Wissenschaft” or companies like Siemens, Bosch, Roche and Zeiss (to name but a few). He is one of the founding members of the Bund Freischaffender Fotodesigner (BFF), the Federation of Freelance Photo Designers. His membership number 13 really says it all. The special added value lies in the “metaphysical exaltation of objects” (GEO) in addition to all science.
The know-how begins with preparations.
For an excellent, clear picture you need a very good, thin slide preparation for light microscopy. For scanning electron microscopy you need comprehensive chemical knowledge and a great deal of sensitivity. For macro photos and video microscopy too, the technical equipment and a profound knowledge play a decisive role. With our expertise grown over decades we take the work off your hands. From sourcing the slide preparations to preparation itself with pharmaceutical and chemical technician know-how. Even material sourcing through diving is possible. Good contacts to marine biology stations and tertiary institutes at home and abroad round off the programme.
Photo design makes the difference
Stars like Helmut Newton also approached lots of things differently to many “snapshooters” in their profession. In this sense KAGE does not simply shoot microphotos – KAGE makes fascinating combinations of science & art that nobody else “produces” in this way. KAGE has often been copied, but never equalled. Manfred P. KAGE created the original of modern microphotography in Germany, by being the first to not just “copy” micro worlds. Today too, the visualisation is meticulously stage-managed with state-of-the-art optical (interference) methods and by means of digital editing trimmed to high gloss. Since the beginning of micro cinematography on 16 mm film KAGE has had all micro video processes at its disposal, right through to the HDV system.
Innovative technologies for more effects
What George Lucas was to “Star Wars” with his special effects, that is what KAGE is to commissioned photography with his technical innovations. Their objects are optimised with – in some cases self-invented – processes and stage-managed in unique visualisations. It began in 1957 with the invention of the “Polychromator”, a kind of “Photoshop” for polarised light. With KAGE’s “kaleidoscope system”, picture contents in all kinds of different symmetries can be produced. With scanning electron microscopy KAGE was the first to introduce colour – something which today, thanks to sophisticated digital image editing, is naturally easier to achieve than it used to be. KAGE’s “Audioscope”, with which music is transformed into visual sound images, has even caused a sensation at World Expos with its music made visible.
