The annual Nikon’s ‘Small World’ contest shows microscopic beauty through exquisitely detailed images that display the complexity of life.
- The Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition created a top 20 of pictures
- They also named 12 Honorable Mentions, and 56 Images of Distinction
- The competition saw to 2,000 international applicants
- Ralph Grimm won with his microscopic image of a bee’s eye (120x)
The winner of the 41st edition of the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition of 2015 was a skillfully captured image of a bee’s eye, credited to Australian teacher Ralph Claus Grimm.
The stunning picture presents the stark contrasts of the colors among the most mixed textures. From the intricate dark surface of the eyeball to the tiny specks of yellow dandelion pollen, the image blends scientific curiosity with artistic beauty.
According to Grimm, it took him 4 hours to carefully mount the eye under the microscope, set focus, and properly illuminate it to capture the picture. The impressive technique magnifies it by 120 times, and it’s the result of his well worth effort. As a former beekeeper himself, it also encompasses the core message of Grimm’s image.
Its purpose is offer us “a glimpse of the world through the eye of a bee”, to raise awareness toward this highly valuable contributor to our world who is becoming endangered. They are incredibly precious to our population, but have been seen in rapid decline. As stated by Grimm, it’s also a warning that we “should stay connected to our planet”, and find better ways to protect it.
Grimm’s picture won among the other 2,000 applicants who provided individual photos for the international competition. The Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition sets out with the purpose in mind of showing the public the hidden wonders of our world. And, to a scale where our eyes cannot properly capture, it’s inevitably neglected.
As stated by communications manager of Nikon Instruments, Eric Flenn, scientists, artists, and photomicrographers from all around the world submit their photos. And each year, the judges are “blown away by the incredible quality”. This year had served as no exception.
Out of the thousands of intricate and strikingly detailed images, only 20 were awarded winning prizes. While Grimm reached the sought-after first place, the second place went to researchers at Stanford University, with their captured image of a mouse colon invaded by human microbiota.
The third was awarded to Dr. Igor Siwanowicz with the intake of a humped bladderwort, which is a freshwater carnivorous plant, enhanced 100 times.
In addition to the winners that will be featured in a calendar, Nikon also offered 12 Honorable Mentions, and 56 Images of Distinction, all of which presented with astoundingly detailed captures.
Image source: nikonsmallworld.com
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