The winners of the 51st annual Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition have been announced, showcasing some of the most stunning and detailed images of the microscopic world. From insects to plant structures, these photographs reveal the beauty and complexity of tiny subjects we often overlook in our daily lives. The competition, run by Nikon Instruments, has been celebrating excellence in microscopy and digital imaging for over five decades, inspiring scientists and artists alike.
This year’s top prize went to China’s Zhang You for his incredible image of a rice weevil perched on a grain of rice, wings fully extended. Using a combination of photography skills, careful lighting, and focus stacking, You captured a moment that blends scientific detail with artistic flair. His work reminds us that even the smallest creatures can be fascinating and beautiful when seen up close.
#21 Image Of Distinction: Jonathan Muyal, Paris, France
"Iridescent rutile (mineral) needles in a Burmese ruby."
9points
#22 Image Of Distinction: Marek Miś, Marek Miś Photography, Suwalki, Podlaskie, Poland
"Air bubbles in melted polyvinyl alcohol."
9points
#23 Image Of Distinction: Dr. Stephen De Lisle, Karlstad University, Department Of Environmental And Life Sciences, Karlstad, Värmland, Sweden
"Lily flower pollen (autofluorescence)."
9points
#24 Image Of Distinction: Walter Ferrari, Walter Ferrari Macro, Rio Cuarto, Cordoba, Argentina
"True bug (Hemipteran) eggs on a leaf."
9points
#25 16th Place: Rogelio Moreno, Panama, Panama
"Spore sacs (sporangia) of a fern."
9points
#26 Honorable Mention: Jiri Cerny, Institute Of Molecular Genetics Of The Czech Academy Of Sciences, Light Microscopy Core Facility, Prague, Czech Republic
"Jumping spider."
8points
#27 Image Of Distinction: Joe Mckellar, Cnrs, The Institue Of Molecular Genetics Of Montpellier (Igmm), Montpellier, Hérault, France
"Giant human hepatic cancer cell surrounded by smaller cells."
8points
#28 Image Of Distinction: Dr. Mette Handberg-Thorsager, Alexandre Alié And Lisa Maria Ulbrich, Georg-August-University Göttingen, Department Of Multiscale Biology, Göttingen, Niedersachsen, Germany
"Oozoid of a sea squirt (Thalia democratica)."
8points
#29 Image Of Distinction: Dr. Noah Bressman, Salisbury University, Department Of Biology, Salisbury, Maryland, USA
"Histologically-stained harvestfish/star butterfish (Peprilus paru)."
8points
#30 Image Of Distinction: Solvin Zankl, Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein , Germany
"A floating sea slug (Glaucus atlanticus, also known as the blue sea dragon)."
8points
#31 15th Place: Zhang You, Kunming, Yunnan, China
"Geometer moth (Geometridae) laying eggs."
8points
#32 Image Of Distinction: Dr. Laurent Formery, University Of California Berkeley, Department Of Molecular And Cell Biology, Pacific Grove, California, USA
"Skeleton of a juvenile sea cucumber."
7points
#33 Image Of Distinction: Stephanie Huang, Victoria University Of Wellington, School Of Biological Sciences; School Of Psychology, Wellington, New Zealand
"Pyramidal neurons from the ventral orbital cortex (prefrontal cortex) from an adult rat brain."
7points
#34 Image Of Distinction: Bernard Allard, Club Français De Microscopie, Sucy-En-Bry, France
"Parasitic fly (Crataerina hirundinis)."
6points
#35 Image Of Distinction: Bilal Akhtar, Institute Of Molecular Biology, Neuroscience-Rna Biology, Mainz, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany
"14-day-old mouse neuronal co-culture with astrocytes."
6points
#36 Image Of Distinction: Frederic Labaune, Education Nationale, Auxonne, Burgundy, France
"Slime mold (Arcyria denudata)."
6points
#37 Image Of Distinction: Robert Schmittling, Hillsborough, North Carolina, USA
"Eye of potato (stomate)."
6points
#38 9th Place: Wim Van Egmond, Micropolitan Museum, Berkel En Rodenrijs, Zuid Holland, Netherlands
"A fungus (Talaromyces purpureogenus) known for its red, diffused pigment."
6points
#39 19th Place: Eduardo Carrasco, Cuenca, Azuay, Ecuador
"Parasitic fungus (Cordycipitaceae) on a fly (Calliphoridae)."
6points
#40 Honorable Mention: Dr. Frédéric Fercoq And Jean-Gabriel Rothan, Muséum National D'histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
"Larvae of a filarial parasite (nematode)."
5points
