A system, including a structured illumination stage to provide a spatially modulated imaging field is provided. The system further includes a spatial frequency modulation stage to adjust the frequency of the spatially modulated imaging field, a sample interface stage to direct the spatially modulated imaging field to a sample, and a sensor configured to receive a plurality of fluorescence emission signals from the sample. The system also includes a processor configured to reduce a sample scattering signal and to provide a fluorescence emission signal from a portion of the sample including the spatially modulated imaging field. A method for using the above system to form an image of the sample is also provided.