
Image of Distinction, 2017 Photomicrography Competition
Christophe Leterrier
Nikon’s Small World
Celebrating 49 years of images captured by the light microscope.
Nikon’s Small World is regarded as the leading forum for showcasing the beauty and complexity of life as seen through the light microscope. The Photomicrography Competition is open to anyone with an interest in microscopy and photography. The video competition, entitled Small World In Motion encompasses any movie or digital time-lapse photography taken through the microscope.
Photomicrography Competition
The Nikon Small World Competition first began in 1975 as a means to recognize and applaud the efforts of those involved with photography through the light microscope. Since then, Small World has become a leading showcase for photomicrographers from the widest array of scientific disciplines.

Video Competition
In 2011, Nikon announced that it would begin accepting movies taken through the microscope as a new category in the 37th annual Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition. This new category, titled Small World in Motion, encompasses any movie or digital time-lapse photography taken through the microscope and adds a new, distinct discipline to the competition.

Small World News

2023 Nikon Small World Wall Calendar Now Available for Purchase - Buy One, Get One Free!
Posted on November 01, 2022
The Nikon Small World 2023 Calendar is printed in full color on semi-gloss paper and spiral bound for mounting on the wall. Order your calendar today and we'll send you a second one at no cost!

Fluorescent Hand of a Madagascar Giant Day Gecko Wins 48th Annual Nikon Small World Photo Microscopy Competition
Posted on October 11, 2022
This year’s first place prize was awarded to Grigorii Timin, supervised by Dr. Michel Milinkovitch at the University of Geneva, for his remarkable image of an embryonic hand of a Madagascar giant day gecko.
Masters of Microscopy
Meet the Judges
Featured Image
Magnesium sulfate and tartaric acid crystals, 1st Place, 2013 Photomicrography Competition

Small World Exhibit Tour
Museum of Science and Technology
Feb 10, 2022 – Apr 16, 2023New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science
Feb 24, 2023 – Apr 30, 2023
MicroscopyU
Nikon's MicroscopyU website features technical support and timely information about all aspects of optical microscopy, photomicrography, and digital imaging.

Nikon Instruments
Nikon Instruments is a leader in microscope-based optical and imaging technologies for the life sciences and part of the Nikon Healthcare Business Division.
