SMALL WORLD PHOTOMICROGRAPH

Using laser-triggered high-speed macrophotography, Dr. John H. Brackenbury of the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, UK captured a water droplet containing a pair of mosquito larvae.

The Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition lets us see beyond the capabilities of our unaided eyes. Almost 2000 entries from 70 countries vied for recognition in the 37th annual contest, which celebrates photography through a microscope. Images two through 21 showcase the contest's winners in order, and are followed by a selection of other outstanding works. Scientists and photographers turned their attention on a wide range of subjects, both living and man-made, from lacewing larva to charged couple devices, sometimes magnifying them over 2000 times their original size.


A confocal image of a reconstruction of a fruit fly (Drosophila sp.) nervous system by Dr. Jana Boerner of Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Fla.


Jonathan Franks of the University of Pittsburgh used the confocal method with autofluorescence to capture algae biofilm.

The embryonic pectoral fin of a whitespotted bamboo shark (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) was photographed by Dr. Andrew Gillis of the University of Cambridge using stereomicroscopy with fiber optic lighting.

Dr. Marta Guervos of the Image Processing Unit, Scientific-Technical Facilities, University of Oviedo in Asturias, Spain photographed Acacia dealbata (Silver wattle tree) anther using the confocal method with autofluorescence.

Confocal image of Clausidium sp. nov., female with egg sacs, ventral view was made by Dr. Terue Kihara of the German Centre for Marine Biodiversity Research (DZMB) in Senckenberg am Meer, Germany.

An antique mount of a blowfly (Calliphoridae) proboscis was photographed by Dr. Davis Linstead of Kent, UK with differential interference contrast.

The double compound eyes of a male St. Mark's fly (Bibio marci) photographed with reflected (episcopic) diffuse illumination by Dr. David Maitland of Feltwell, UK.

The egg of a red admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) in stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) trichomes photographed by David Millard of Austin, Texas with diffuse incident illumination.

Marek Mis of Suwalki, Poland used polarized light to photograph green algae (Spirogyra sp.) filaments.

The eyes (anterior lateral and median) of a jumping spider photographed in reflected light by Walter Piorkowski of South Beloit, Illinois.

A confocal image of a charge coupled device (CCD) sensor, direct surface view, magnified 1000 times by Kevin Smith of MetPrep Ltd. in Warwickshire, UK.

A water flea (Daphnia sp.) and green algae (Volvox sp.) captured with darkfield and flash by Dr. Ralf Wagner of Dusseldorf, Germany.

The mouth of a common fly photographed with fiber optic illumination by Dr. Havi Sarfaty of the Israeli Veterinary Association.