The twenty prize-winning Small World competition images are exhibited at numerous museums and science centers throughout the United States. For the added convenience of our visitors, we have reproduced one of the Images of Distinction from the 2005 competition below (click on the image to download a larger version).

Images of Distinction, 2005 Competition Ms. Peggy L. Mann Ametek Oak Ridge, Tennessee, USA Dislocations in etched germanium single crystal (100x) Differential interference contrast

In addition, many of the winning photomicrographs are featured on the covers of prestigious scientific and industrial journals. A photomicrograph is a technical document that can be of great significance to science or industry. But a good photomicrograph is also an image whose structure, color, composition, and content is an object of beauty, open to several levels of comprehension and appreciation.

The Nikon Small World Competition is open to anyone with an interest in photography through the microscope. Truly international in scope, entries have been received from the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Latin America, Asia, and Africa. Winners have included both professionals and hobbyists.