A strange and unknown world exists before our eyes, but only microscopes have the power to bring out this amazing hidden dimension.
To honor the beauty and scientific importance of microscopic photographs, also called micrographs, the Nikon Small World Imaging Contest presents a series of awards each year to researchers and hobbyists who capture the most impressive microscopic images.
Over 2,000 photos from around the world are reviewed and selected based on technique, theme, and inherent beauty. Of those 2,000 photographs, a professional jury chose 88 photographs in total; of those 88, the 20 winners came out; the top three places get not only world recognition, but also an award. In the case of the first prize, for example, the reward is a trip to Japan to see the Nikon facilities.
Nikon Small World is considered the premier forum for showing the beauty and complexity of life seen through microscope light. This contest is open to anyone interested in microscopy and photography.
“Not only do the winners reflect remarkable research and trends in science, but they also allow the public to see a hidden world,” says Eric Flem, Communications Manager for Nikon Instruments, “This year’s winning photo is an example of the important work that is being done in the world of science, and that work can be shared thanks to rapidly advancing imaging technology. “
For those of us who love science, we know that science is great, but it can also be incredibly beautiful, and Nikon celebrates beauty seen under the microscope every year with this contest, which reached its 37th edition in 2017.
“What I enjoy the most about this contest is that a large audience can appreciate the beautiful complexity and diversity of the world that is not seen with the naked eye,” says Bram van den Broek of the Netherlands Cancer Institute.
Let’s look at the best microscopic images of the year from the Nikon Small World Contest : baby octopus, amoebas, sea urchin eggs, fungi eating mosquitoes, parasitic worms … they all show what happens in worlds too small for the human eye to perceive.
