Goofing off in the lab...

I hope this is the right forum, but here goes.
I have been asked to take a couple images for my mentor for both prints and our research website. I'd like to get your input on how this image can be bettered. Image was taken with the blue light source at its lowest intensity. The room was pitch black.
f/25, shutter speed 25.0s

In the future I want to take the photo with the laser running, but that's for the next rainy day..

Thanks!
Michael

Byte size: ZERO | Content warning: NOT AN IMAGE

That is so cool! Did you use a tripod?

I did use a tripod for that. No way I could keep it steady for that long.

Very interesting shot Michael.
BTW, It might fit better here in Still Life, B&W, & Experimental.
Looking forward to the shot with the Laser running, just be careful.
-Bruce

Wow, it burns my eyes!

You might try adding a neutral density filter. F/25 is way to small for a crop sensor. It's hard to tell at web resolution but generally there will be diffraction (loss of sharpness) at that small of an aperture.

One thing you will loose though is the long light trails. The smaller the aperture the more pronounced those are.

I don't know much about lasers but I wonder if the IR filter on the camera will have any affect on how visible it is to the sensor. May depend on what color laser you are using.

Cool shot. As it is a close up, all details such as dust can be seen. Try to
clean that glass next time or remove them in PP. I'd also try to move camera
to the left a bit. Now there is empty space on right side and partially cut
silver tube (microscope lens?) on the left. If you plan to use laser next time,
make sure you dont point it to your CCD

Thanks, for all the tips.
As far as the laser goes it just comes out of the objective and illuminates the sample. Fairly safe for both my eyes and the camera.

I may try the shot again from a different angle. Looks like next friday I have the lab all to myself so that seems like a good day to "experiment."