
8th Place, 2005 Photomicrography Competition
Thomas Deerinck
Nikon’s Small World
Celebrating 46 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

A Virtual Glimpse Into Microscopic Life
Posted on February 19, 2021
On Friday, February 12, The Wistar Institute hosted a virtual Nikon Small World event highlighting the intersection between science and art through photomicrography featuring the authors of three winning images from the 2020 Nikon Small World photomicrography competition.

Tellus Science Museum "Ask the Expert"
Posted on February 15, 2021
On Wednesday, February 10, 2021, microscopist, geologist and former Nikon Small World winner, Julian Gray, conducted a Facebook Live presentation where he discussed his photomicrographs and imaging process (via Tellus Science Museum, Cartersville, Georgia).
Masters of Microscopy
Masters of Microscopy
The first place winners of the 2020 Small World in Motion Competition discuss the winning movie and their research at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Featured Image
Microtubules (orange), F-Actin (black) and DNA (turquoise) - 7th Place, 2020 Photomicrography Competition
2021 Calendar
The 2021 Nikon Small World wall calendar features the winning images from the 46th annual photomicrography competition. For a limited time, order one calendar and an additional calendar will be sent automatically at no charge (US only).
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.
