Way back when I did a Masters on foraminifera (a bit smaller than these micros, since they were mostly less than 0.2 mm in size) to take pictures of them using an SEM we used double-stick scotch tape (and after taking pictures of one view we used our triple-ought brush and a bit of water to turn them over for preparation for the next picture).  Or, for just mounting them on the black cardboard background of the slides we were using, we'd first coat the background with a mixture of Elmers glue and water, then let it dry.  When we picked up an individual foram (using that tiny brush dipped in water), the surface tension of the water let the brush grab the foram, then when we touched it to the glue-coated background, the water dissolved just enough glue to hold the foram to the background.  Then to turn it over for a different view just use the brush dipped in water again and it will dissolve the glue again and you can turn it over and let it dry again.
________________________________________
From: Conchologists List [[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Marlo Krisberg [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 5:31 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CONCH-L] Holding the little'uns

Maybe you use a better clay than I?  What is it?  I use a block of prëmol black  http://www.misterart.com/crafts/polymer-hobby-clay/polymer-clay/sculpey-premo-premium-polymer-clay.html   I actually let it dry out quite a bit so it’s not as sticky and won’t leave a residue on the shell.  By attaching the shell to a block (plenty heavy relative to a micro) you can set the block in many positions to get various angles.

Marlo
From: Paul Callomon
Sent:July 19, 2012

I have to design some stages to hold micro-mollusks for photography. These are really tiny – 1 to 4 mm – and I need to be able to re-orient them easily for multiple views. If anyone is using a method apart from the traditional clay-on-a-pin that separates the specimen nicely from the background, I’d be keen to hear about it.

Paul Callomon

----------------------------------------------------------------------
[log in to unmask] - a forum for informal discussions on molluscs
To leave this list, click on the following web link:
http://listserv.uga.edu/cgi-bin/wa?SUBED1=conch-l&A=1
Type your email address and name in the appropriate box and
click leave the list.
----------------------------------------------------------------------