Ink droplets in motion snag top prize in Nikon Small World contest
Ole Bielfeldt of Germany captured a microscopic view of an inkjet printer depositing ink onto paper.
Ole Bielfeldt of Germany captured a microscopic view of an inkjet printer depositing ink onto paper.
The short version
- A 25-year-old German experimental photographer has won the 2026 Nikon Small World photomicrography competition with a striking image of droplets of ink being deposited on paper by an inkjet printer.
- Ole Bielfeldt beat out 1,802 other entries hailing from 69 different countries.
- Bielfeldt became interested in photomicrography during the COVID-19 lockdown after discovering an old microscope in his parents’ attic.
What happened
He figured out how to build an adaptor out of a tube and some wood to connect the microscope to his father’s camera and taught himself the art through trial and error, building custom tools as needed. He documents how he captures transformative images of everyday objects with behind-the-scenes videos posted to macrofying , his photography and videography brand.
Why it matters
“Ole Bielfeldt’s winning image embodies what makes Nikon Small World so powerful: the intersection of microscope imaging, ingenuity, and artistry,” said Eric Flem , a spokesperson for Nikon Instruments.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Ars Technica via the links above and below.