Through a microscopic lens, the heat from an igniting matchstick – captured within one-eight-thousandth of a second – is palpable. A mosaic of caffeine crystals could be mistaken for a work of abstract art. And a massive, venomous fang plunging into frame actually belongs to a 13-centimeter tarantula.
This year marks Nikon’s 49th Small World Photomicrography competition, which recognizes excellence in photography through the microscope. Beyond their aesthetic appeal, these captivating microscopic images hold the key to advancing crucial scientific research.
For instance, this year’s first-place winner is a colorful image of a rodent optic nerve head, created by Hassanain Qambari and Jayden Dickson. Qambari has used images like this to research diabetic retinopathy for two decades.
He noted that Nikon's competition is an important opportunity to showcase scientific achievement. “All the images presented in the competition represent the beauty and artistic side of science, which may otherwise get overlooked,” Qambari said in a Nikon press release.
From the shape of a heart nestled in a cluster of breast cancer cells to the translucent head of a zebrafish, the artistry of photomicrography is made clear by this year’s winners. In fact, browsing these images feels like entering a portal to another universe.
See the full list of winners and honorable mentions here.
