Photography is so many things to so many people. It’s an opportunity to capture the moment and set up memories. It’s also a chance for artistic expression. If you’ve ever dreamed about participating in a photography competition, you’re not alone. Those at Nikon are happy to honor photographers and their work. That is why they’ve set up the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition. It’s all about showing off the power of the camera. These are the photos that allow people to show off what some of the world’s tinniest things look like. You’ll be amazed at the results they get.
Under the microscope
Like the camera, the microscope is also a means of examining really small things. That is the purpose of the contest. All of the photographs have been taken using a microscope and a camera. Participants are encouraged to examine such items including living creatures from a whole new angle. The results are some of the most stunning and amazing photos you’ll see anywhere. This is one contest that challenges people to go beyond the norm and think about the world in brand new ways. It’s also one contest that allows viewers to think about how even the smallest of creatures can have a really big impact on the world around us. These are photographs taken under what can be quite difficult circumstances. They’re also pictures that bring out the best of the natural world and make viewers come away with a whole new perspective on it all.
First prize
First prize in the competition went to Daniel Castranova. Daniel Castranova makes this world his own. As an aquatic research specialist he’s used to dealing with things on a very small scale. His day job is at the National Institute of Health. In between he likes to think closely about the world of photography. This is one area that he’s happy to make his own and create something that is truly special for the eyes to see. His prize winning photograph of a juvenile zebrafish took a lot of effort to bring to life. The photography makes use of a technique known as confocal microscopy. He worked closely with colleague Bakary Samasa. Over time, they patiently scanned many images and then stacked them to create the image they put in front of the judges.
In doing so, they made a huge discovery The zebrafish are actually even more of use as models for human activities than previously thought. In fact, they actually have lymphatic vessels that are located in their skulls. This discovery has incredible implications for the world of scientific research. It means that the fish can serve as a possible means of exploring all sorts of treatment for people with diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer’s. It also the fish with their lymphatic system can be used to consider options such as drug treatment trials that might lead to even better research. This is not only a photograph. It’s also an example of the kind of discovery that can open doors to new methods of scientific research and ultimately benefit everyone.
Other photographs
In addition to his work, other works of amazing beauty and astonishing ingenuity are also on display for the public to admire and appreciate personally. Daniel Knop earned a welcomed second place with his study a clownfish as it was creating eggs. Third place went to Dr. Igor Siwanowicz for his study of a snail’s tongue. The tongue’s microscopic teeth can be seen in the photograph in varied colors. This kind of close up with a view of the underlying structures that gird behavior is one that allows researchers and the public to enjoy the natural world and all that it has to offer. The contest has clearly brought to life some incredible microscopic images that are well worth a second, third and forth look right now.