Coloring pictures is an educational exercise, which is fun, and helps develop important skills. Coloring SEM micrographs is especially suitable for electron microscopists. Color micrographs are not just great looking on a lab wall; they inspire both microscopists and students to exercise digital picture manipulation. Many microscopists enjoyed looking at the beautiful color micrographs by D. Scharf, but were frustrated to learn they needed a very particular scanning electron microscope equipped with multiple secondary electron detectors in order to color their own pictures. Fortunately, there are other ways to color SEM micrographs. Most SEMs are equipped with at least two detectors, for secondary and backscattered electrons.
Coloring Pictures for Electron Microscopists or Elements of Digital Image Manipulation for Students