Magnified Photos Expose the Secret Beauty of Sand Grains

When you head to the beach on a hot summer day, the glimmering ocean waves capture your attention. But a series of magnified photographs may inspire you to turn your gaze to the sand, where little-seen beauty lies right underfoot

Dr. Gary Greenberg's photographs magnify grains of sand 100 to 300 times, exposing swirling microscopic shells, eroded crystals and colorful coral fragments.

The grains come from diverse beaches around the world, reaching from Okinawa, Japan to Maui, Hawaii to Smith Mountain Lake, Va. Each fragment is unique in character and remarkably beautiful. Read more...