{
  "id": 19667130,
  "title": "Get Up-Close to Cells, Ink, and Insects in the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Contest",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/get-up-close-to-cells-ink-and-insects-in-the-nikon-small-world",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-12T14:51:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Colossal",
    "slug": "colossal",
    "url": "https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2026/11/nikon-small-world-photomicrography-competition-2026-winners/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 2026 Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition showcased a breathtaking array of images that revealed intricate details previously unseen by the human eye. Among the winners, Ole Bielfeldt, a photographer from Cologne, Germany, took the top prize with his extraordinary up-close view of droplets inside an inkjet printer. Bielfeldt utilized a custom-built rig to capture the mesmerizing scene. Other notable runners-up included John-Oliver Dum, who captured the striking portrait of a jumping spider adorned with pollen, and Kaelin Wulf and Rachel Flannery, whose microscopic image of mouse neurons earned them recognition.\n\nThe competition featured three categories: Top 20, Honorable Mentions, and Images of Distinction. The Top 20 featured a diverse range of astonishing images, from fungi and insects to crystals and technology. The Honorable Mentions and Images of Distinction highlighted exceptional photographs that left a lasting impression on the judges.\n\nOne of the Images of Distinction captured by Charles Krebs showcased a tardigrade, also known as a \"water bear,\" exhibiting its piercing stylets and pharynx used for consuming its food. Another Image of Distinction featured a snowflake under a microscope, photographed by Giuseppe Franchina in Italy. In addition to the Nikon Small World competition, viewers interested in similar microscopic photography could also explore the Nikon Small World in Motion video competition.",
  "summary": "A big stage for itty bitty subject matter. Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $7 per month. The article Get Up-Close to Cells, Ink, and Insects in the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Contest appeared first on Colossal .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}