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Photographer Melissa Horn sheds light on microorganisms

 Melissa Horn, a freelance photographer and geology major at Lock Haven University. Horn moved back to the area a year ago after spending three years visiting and photographing caves around North America.

When Melissa Horn's husband took her caving on their second date, it was the first time she ever entered the dark, damp underground world of caves. "I was absolutely terrified, I felt claustrophobic," she said. "But I couldn't help but be interested by it.” These days, it's a different story - Horn is trying to find and explore caves as much as possible.

After taking her camera into a cave for the first time, she said she became obsessed with the subjects underground. “I have always loved caves and geology,” Horn said. “Our experience inspired me to return to school and major in geology with the idea that I can turn my hobby into a career.”

Horn hopes that her photography helps create a platform for discussion about the topic of conservation. “I began focusing on macro-cave photography and sought to photograph such things as the crystalline structure within a droplet of water hanging from a speleothem (a secondary mineral deposit) and the biological life found underground that may otherwise go unnoticed... Focusing on these things in macro-photography really helps to drive home the message of the importance of conservation and caving responsibly so as to minimize impact to the best of our ability,” Horn said.

SOURCES
www.centredaily.com
www.sungazette.com
www.lostateminor.com
Image: www.melissahornphotography.com

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