Krystallos Quartz Crystal Photographic Imagery

Welcome to Krystallos,

W. R. Disney's stunning collection of photographic
imagery based solely on the mineral quartz crystal.
journey within this extraordinary fusion of nature
and art...explore
ancient deserts, ethereal
mountains, Crystalline
cliffs...a myriad of
anthropomorphic images in this
master-work of literal, surreal,
and abstract photography.

Quartz Crystal Photo Gallery

W. R. Disney's enchantment with the photographic medium began while on tour in Germany in 1971. Although Disney's photographic background encompasses advertising, product, and people, his forte remains special effects and experimental photography. Commissioned and published work credits include Southland Corporation, AT&T, Halliburton Company, Data Application, Inc., Coca Cola Company, Yoga Journal, Aurora Press, Inc., Crystal Resources, Science Digest, Friedman Publishing Group, Inc., and Spirit Sounds. An exclusive Krystallos pictorial, "The Beauty of Crystals," appeared in one of Australia's leading magazines, Australian Wellbeing.
The Krystallos series Krystallos, envisioned in 1981, is a master-work of literal, surreal, and abstract photographic imagery based solely on the mineral quartz crystal. Created and produced by W. R. Disney, Krystallos explores the intrinsic beauty of this truly mesmerizing mineral. The images in the Krystallos Gallery were created in camera without digital or computer enhancement.
The mineral, quartz crystal
Pliny (c. 62-113 A.D.), the historian and mineralogist of his time, believed quartz crystal was ice that had frozen so hard it would never thaw, hence Krystallos, the Greek word for "Ice". Quartz crystal is scattered worldwide as one of the earth's most abundant minerals. Throughout history mention of this mineral has spanned the divergent communities of man linking science, religion, and healing. Today the New Age utilizes the quartz crystal for its metaphysical healing properties.
The body of knowledge concerning traditional uses of quartz and the lore surrounding it is immense. As early as 300 B.C. quartz crystal is mentioned with references to its many uses in ancient texts from Egypt, Yucatan, Mexico, Peru, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Quartz crystal has been used in rain-making ceremonies and healing rituals, employed as a medieval European divining tool (crystal ball), and is utilized today in a multitude of scientific and industrial applications, including the computer industry. Quartz crystal has a very unusual property - it's piezoelectric (<-clicking opens new window): it emits electricity when mechanical pressure is applied. This unique attribute has insured man's interest in studying and harnessing the quartz crystal. Photographic Technique The images in the Krystallos Gallery were photographed using various techniques designed and developed by Disney specifically for this work. Many of the specimens photographed are from Disney's collection of quartz crystals. While comfortable with large, medium, and small format cameras, Disney preferred a Nikon F2 for photographing Krystallos. Other equipment included a Nikon extension bellow, close up Diopters, strobe meter, tripod, and bees-wax to hold small mirrors in place when redirecting a light source. Kodachrome 25 and 64 daylight balanced reversal film were chosen for this series. Light sources included strobe, daylight and tungsten light. Using reflective materials, mirrors, and dichroic mirrors is a handy technique to direct various light sources to accentuate specific areas of the crystal. The four golden parallel striations toward the left end of True North were achieved by redirecting sunlight from a highly reflective gold mirror. Three small silver mirrors placed behind and below illuminated this crystal and provided a splash rainbow.
The lower light-green and richly colored pyramid-shaped facets in the Iris shot are natural crystal rainbows. These multi-faceted rainbows are not visible without rotating the crystal, but four well-placed mirrors captured this crystal's colorful dance of wonder. Star Dancer used selective focus to draw attention to the upper facet and point, accentuating the soft "electric field" around the base. This image was illuminated by redirecting sunlight, using two mirrors positioned to the left and right of the crystal. The background was created using a sheet of deep blue acetate filter with sunlight mirrored from behind. This crystal is about 1 inch (1.5 cm.) in length. Krystallos is an extreme close-up employing macro-photography. The area photographed is about half the size of a postage stamp. Odyssey also used macro-photography, capturing an interior diagonal inclusion. Positioned dichroic mirrors enhanced this crystal's misty under-water qualities.
Vision Quest was photographed with a medium telephoto lens to create a forced perspective. Pyramid displays an optical illusion. Looking through one of the facets on this crystal presents an internal three-sided pyramid . . . you can almost see a fourth side. Dichroic mirrors contributed the color.
Mirage is a particularly unique crystal. The pyramid-like "etching" on the facet of this quartz is natural. This crystal was photographed with one over-head tungsten light. The diffused, dark-shaded area above the pyramid was created using a small sheet of black mat board with a semi-circular cut. Mirage remains one of Disney's favorites because of this unusual striation . . . the viewer can easily visualize the foreground as an ancient desert in a time long ago. Disney spotted this pyramid-shaped "etching" using an 8x AGFA LUPE since it's impossible to see with the unaided eye. The actual area is quite small, about 2 cm. by 4 cm. and is visible only at a particular angle to the light source.
If you have any questions about how other shots were created please don't hesitate to contact him.