A glimpse into the unseen: the magic behind printing
Nikon‘s Small World Photomicrography Competition for 2026 showcases the intricate and often unseen details of our world, captured through the lens of a microscope. This year, Ole Bielfeldt from Cologne, Germany, took the top prize with a captivating image of ink droplets being deposited onto paper by an inkjet printer. The photograph, resembling a scene from a sci-fi film, highlights the hidden beauty in everyday processes through the fascinating technique of inkjet printer microscopy.
Inkjet Printer Microscopy: A meticulous approach to capturing the ordinary
Bielfeldt, known for his brand macrofying, employs photography, inkjet printer microscopy, and personally crafted equipment to transform mundane objects into extraordinary images. His winning piece emerged from a quest to delve into the mechanics of printing. Using a self-made imaging rig and a microscope objective, he slowed down the action to reveal the intricate dance of droplets as they meet the paper surface.
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“It felt magical,” Bielfeldt remarked. “Seeing the process laid out in such detail was eye-opening.” He engineered the printer to keep the printhead stationary while the paper moved, allowing him to freeze the motion of the droplets using a flash in a darkened room. This innovative use of printer technology emphasizes the potential of inkjet printer microscopy.
Unveiling nature’s hidden art
Other notable entries include John-Oliver Dum’s striking capture of a jumping spider adorned with pollen and Kaelin Wulf & Rachel Flannery’s vibrant depiction of neurons from an expanded mouse brain.
Second place: A close encounter with a spider
Photographer: John-Oliver Dum, utilized image stacking, achieving a magnification of 20X. The use of inkjet printer microscopy in capturing such details points to the versatile applications of the technique.
Third place: Illuminating the neural dance
Captured by Kaelin Wulf & Ms. Rachel Flannery at the Allen Institute in Seattle, the image showcases neurons using expansion microscopy. Each piece reflects the potential of inkjet printer microscopy to reveal structures otherwise invisible to the naked eye.
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Check out the remaining top contenders that illustrate diverse scientific marvels, from the tip of a ballpoint pen to 20-day-old sea urchin larvae,.
Exploring the competition’s highlights
Below, find the diverse collection of images recognized in this year’s competition, each a testament to the wonder and complexity of science as captured through a microscopic lens and the transformative power of inkjet printer microscopy.
- Fourth place – Ballpoint pen tip by Justin Theodore Benttinen, Berkeley, California, USA.
- Fifth place – Inner structure of a daisy by Mike Crutchley, Pembrokeshire, Wales, UK.
- Sixth place – Slime mold spore structures by Eric Epstein, Brooklyn, New York, USA.
- Seventh place – Reprogrammed human neurons by Dr. Bruno Cisterna & Dr. Eric Vitriol, Georgia, USA.
- Eighth place – Electrifying pencil lead by Dr. Marcel Clemens, Verona, Italy.
- Ninth place – Liver endothelial cell by Dr. Francisco Lázaro-Diéguez, New York, USA.
- Tenth place – Wasp emerging from chrysalis by Michael Parra Puentes, Bogotá, Colombia.
- Eleventh place – Sea urchin larva by Svenja Carolin Kling, La Jolla, California, USA.
- Twelfth place – Tardigrade molting by Dr. Gonzalo Quiroga Artigas, Montpellier, France.
- Thirteenth place – Recrystallized estrogen by Sebastian Sparenga, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
- Fourteenth place – Pilobolus fungi by Mike Crutchley, Wales, UK.
- Fifteenth place – Mouse trachea cells by Dr. Julien Resseguier, Oslo, Norway.
- Sixteenth place – Embryonic frog skin cells by Pierre Nouaux & Laurent Kodjabachian, France.
- Seventeenth place – Lab-grown intestinal tissue by Dr. Gauri Kulkarni, North Carolina, USA.
- Eighteenth place – Mouse hippocampal neurons by Bilal Akhtar, Mainz, Germany.
- Nineteenth place – Mouse eye cross-section by Satu Paavonsalo & Dr. Sinem Karaman, Finland.
- Twentieth place – Abalone shell by Justin Theodore Benttinen, Berkeley, California, USA.
The Nikon Small World competition continues to illuminate the invisible and spark curiosity across scientific and artistic communities worldwide.
Source: dpreview.com
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition for 2026?
Ole Bielfeldt from Cologne, Germany, won the top prize with an image of ink droplets being deposited onto paper by an inkjet printer.
What unique technique did Ole Bielfeldt employ?
Ole Bielfeldt used inkjet printer microscopy and personally crafted equipment to capture the intricate dance of ink droplets on paper.
What did the second place photograph depict?
The second place photograph, captured by John-Oliver Dum, depicted a jumping spider adorned with pollen, achieving a magnification of 20X.
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