Using a camera and microscope, medical photographer John Paul Vetter turned science into art.

On staff at West Penn Hospital for 42 years, he recorded any number of images for later use as teaching tools for physicians throughout the world.

"Some of those pictures, they look like modern art," said his daughter, Vivian Hilliard of Morningside. "They're absolutely stunning."

Mr. Vetter, of Shadyside, died Sunday at West Penn Hospital. He was 88.

Before beginning his work at West Penn, Mr. Vetter was in the Army during World War II. He trained at the Paramount Studios in Astoria, N.Y., and later became an Army motion picture photographer.

When he returned from the war, Mr. Vetter became a medical photographer. His work in the specialized field of photomicrography was recognized not only by professional organizations but by the mainstream media.

He was featured on the cover of the Pittsburgh Press' Roto, a magazine that ran on Sundays, as well as in the Detroit Free Press in 1963.

In a story in the Oct. 28, 1962, Pittsburgh Press, the newspaper featured two photos by Mr. Vetter using photomicrography. In one picture, a small, yellow nylon fiber was described as looking like a bullet in flesh. In another, silver berry magnified 70 times popped in red, blue and green.

"He loved working with colors," said another daughter, Pamela Thames of Castle Shannon.

As a medical photographer, Mr. Vetter often had to take periodic pictures of burn patients to record their recovery progress. He also photographed tumors, surgeries and organs in an attempt to further medical education.

"He really took a lot of pride in making sure the picture was as accurate as it could be," Ms. Hilliard said.

Mr. Vetter pioneered a number of techniques, including using stains to make the various features of a human cell become more visible, Ms. Thames said.

In 1986, he was awarded West Penn Hospital's Gold-Headed Cane award, which typically is reserved only for physicians, for his research and for educating the staff with his photos. Sometimes referred to as "Dr. Photo," he became an honorary member of the medical staff and retired from the hospital in 1990.

A text that he wrote in 1992, "Biomedical Photography," is still in use today, Ms. Hilliard said.

Throughout his career, companies that made cameras and film would ask Mr. Vetter to test their products. It was important to him in his work in medical photography for colors to be as brilliant on paper as they were in life, Ms. Hilliard said.

As a father, Mr. Vetter often used his work to teach his children. He'd tell them not to play with matches, and show them pictures of bad burns to explain why. As they got older, Mr. Vetter would illustrate lessons about safe driving and not riding on motorcycles the same way -- by showing pictures of injuries sustained in accidents.

"He was a man who always wanted to teach lessons," Ms. Thames said.

She described her father as sweet and stern, a man who taught his children to have a strong work ethic and enjoy life.

"If you're going to live this life, then get something out of it every day," Mr. Vetter used to say.

His love of photography was not limited to his work.

He ran the photography section of the Three Rivers Arts Festival for many years in the 1960s and 1970s.

Mr. Vetter also made sure his family's lives were well-documented by taking some 30,000 pictures of his six children as they were growing up.

His favorite subject was his wife, Mary, who died in November 2006. She and Mr. Vetter traveled a great deal, and he often would photograph strangers on the street.

"He said he always loved a good face," Ms. Thames said.

"We have a lot of pictures of people we don't even know. He'd say, 'Wow, look at the character in that face,'" Ms. Hilliard said.

But Mr. Vetter was never one to hide behind the camera.

"He was an exuberant personality," said Ralph Erickson, who was the chairman of pathology at West Penn when Mr. Vetter worked there.

"I can always remember when he said he couldn't understand why everyone didn't enjoy going to work, because from the moment he woke up until he went to bed, he enjoyed coming to the hospital," Mr. Erickson said.

In addition to his daughters, Mr. Vetter is survived by daughters Mary Ann St. John and Nancy Vetter, both of Shadyside; two sons, Patrick Vetter of Murrysville, and Nicholas Vetter of Los Angeles; a sister, Joan E. Burkardt of Hershey; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.

Visitation will be held today at John A. Freyvogel Sons, 4900 Centre Ave., from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. A Mass will be celebrated tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Bloomfield.

Contributions may be made to the West Penn Hospital Foundation.