TED: Mind-blowing, magnified portraits of insects | Levon Biss

The speaker shares his journey from a successful photography career to feeling unfulfilled, leading to the creation of the Microsculpture Project. Inspired by his child's curiosity, he began photographing insects at high magnification, using advanced techniques to capture extraordinary detail. The project gained access to a museum's collection, resulting in stunning images displayed in exhibitions worldwide. The digital presentation allows viewers to explore these images in detail, with educational applications emerging as an unexpected benefit. The project is validated by its impact and the trust placed in the speaker by institutions.

What did the speaker feel despite achieving his career dreams?

• Indifferent

• A bit unfulfilled

• Completely satisfied

• Overwhelmed with success

What inspired the speaker to start photographing insects?

• A common ground beetle

• A rare butterfly

• A unique rock

• A colorful flower

How does the speaker manage to photograph small subjects with intricate detail?

• By automating the camera to move in small increments

• Using a regular camera

• By using a magnifying glass

• By taking a single shot

What is the average file size of the images created by the speaker?

• 2 gigabytes

• 10 gigabytes

• 500 megabytes

• 4 gigabytes

What was the unexpected educational use of the speaker's work?

• Used in physical education classes

• Used in mathematics classes

• Used in art and biology classes

• Used in history classes

What historical specimen did the speaker photograph that validated his project?

• An ancient Egyptian artifact

• A medieval manuscript

• A shield bug from Charles Darwin's collection

• A fossilized dinosaur bone

What was the speaker's reaction to the children's response at the exhibitions?

• They were indifferent

• They looked in wonder

• They were confused

• They were horrified