Scientific Documentation Through the Lens of Art - In Conversation with Rakesh Rao, Science Filmmaker & Photographer

On a research voyage to the icy edges of the Southern Ocean, science filmmaker Rakesh Rao found himself face-to-face with lifeforms few ever get to see. Using a microscope and a makeshift camera rig, while the ship rocked through polar swells, he captured hauntingly beautiful images of deep-sea creatures pulled up from the darkness. From ghostly squid paralarvae to glowing jellyfish, each photograph reveals not just the strangeness of ocean life, but its quiet defiance in the face of a fast-changing planet.

The team at The Impact Society couldn't help but examine Rakesh Rao's nuanced and meticulous documentation processes - something that is almost as detailed as art.

Read on to understand his lessons and experiences travelling and documenting the work of some of the most brilliant scientists on our planet.

Squid Paralarvae

1. Scientists are often trained to be objective. How do you personally find a story within something as structured as scientific research? Great stories don't just fall into your lap. I strive to dig deeper & uncover all the effort that goes into scientific research, especially in places as extreme as the polar regions. I have spent hours reading research papers and speaking with scientists so I can see the world through their eyes.

Sometimes it’s not just about the scientific discoveries; it’s also about the people behind them - understanding what drives them & the challenges they face along the way. These stories also matter, and I have always tried to convey those through my work.

2. You mentioned building a custom camera attachment for a microscope. What inspired that DIY approach, and where did you pick it from? What other such tricks have you learnt in the field, where you didn't have all the resources you needed? When you're out on an expedition, especially in remote places like the polar regions, you quickly learn that things don’t always go as planned. You can’t carry every piece of equipment, and there’s no store around the corner if you forget something. That’s where creativity kicks in. While on one such expedition to the Southern Ocean, some researchers were studying deep-sea organisms, and I got a rare chance to see them right after the nets were hauled up, just before they were preserved for lab analysis. We wanted to photograph them under a microscope, but I didn’t have the right connector to attach my DSLR camera. So, I got a little inventive. With a few pipes, some bottle caps, and basic tools we had on board, I built a makeshift adapter to fit the camera onto the microscope. To my surprise, it worked, and I ended up capturing some incredible images of these rarely seen organisms. It was a great reminder that sometimes, a little DIY spirit can go a long way. After all, necessity is the mother of invention.
   

Atolla Jellyfish

3. Shooting through a microscope on a rolling ship couldn't have been easy. How do you balance the chaos of field conditions with the precision needed to create compelling visuals? Absolutely! Shooting through a microscope is tricky on its own, but doing it on a moving ship with a DIY setup was a whole next-level challenge.
   

   I had to wait for calmer seas, plan everything, and secure the microscope and camera using whatever I could find, like foam, tape, even ropes, to stop them from shaking or sliding as the ship rolled and pitched.
   

   It taught me something important: perfection isn’t always possible out in the field. But with patience, creativity, and a good understanding of both the science and the story, you can still create powerful, meaningful visuals, even in the most unpredictable conditions.
   

   

   Bristle Worm (Polychaete)

4. Your images use stark black backgrounds and precise lighting. In what ways does editing for such images differ from editing for, say, a portrait or a landscape? Editing microscopic images with black backgrounds is a very deliberate process. The goal is to make the tiny subject stand out and bring out all its intricate details. I pay close attention to clarity, contrast, and just the right amount of sharpening. That stark black background usually starts with careful lighting while shooting. But during editing, I use tools like masking and exposure tweaks to darken the shadows without losing the crisp edges of the subject. Unlike landscape photography, where you’re capturing grand scenes and the play of natural light, micro-photography is all about zooming in on the tiniest details. It’s about removing distractions so the viewer sees exactly what you want them to see. And sometimes, a black background is the best way to do just that.
   

5. For scientists, researchers, or even students who want to start experimenting with photography or film in this particular niche, what’s your biggest piece of advice? Simple, start with curiosity, not gear. Don’t wait for the perfect camera or setup. Use what you have, be it a phone through a microscope eyepiece or a compact camera in the field, and focus on observing and telling compelling stories. Sometimes it's not about how technically sound the image is, but it's often the story that it tells that gets viewers' attention.  Also, spend time understanding the science first. Talk to scientists, ask questions, and figure out what really matters in the research. Once you connect with that purpose, your visuals will naturally gain depth and meaning.
   

   

   Antarctic Flying Squid

6. Do the cameras or lenses you use differ when shooting such microscopic organisms? If yes, what helped you understand this better? Well, I’m more of a field photographer than someone who specialises in microscopic photography. I don’t own fancy setups like microscopes, macro lenses, or special lighting gear. But when I come across an interesting story out in the field, I do whatever it takes to capture it, even if that means making things up on the spot with limited resources. Sometimes, I enjoy the DIY process even more than taking the actual photo. There’s something fun about figuring things out, getting your hands dirty, and learning as you go. That’s where the real adventure lies.

A Photographer/Filmmaker and science enthusiast, Rakesh Rao excels in capturing scientific expeditions and documenting research through photography and film.

His unique work has led him to the Arctic, Antarctic, and Himalayas, making him one of the few documentary filmmakers to cover all three Cryospheric regions. He achieved acclaim with his film “The Climate Challenge,” which won the Best Science Film award at both the International Science Film Festival of India and the 10th National Science Film Festival, along with other technical accolades.

His portfolio includes significant projects like the official teaser for ISRO's Chandrayaan 2 and the Koyna Deep Bore Drilling Project. His work features in top publications like

National Geographic Travellers and Smart Photography. Beyond documentation, he is dedicated to climate change awareness and promoting science through films and photography in educational and public forums nationwide.