Ink droplets in motion snag top prize in Nikon Small World contest
Ars Technica • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Ole Bielfeldt, a 25-year-old German experimental photographer, won the 2026 Nikon Small World photomicrography competition with an image capturing ink droplets from an inkjet printer, selected from 1,802 entries across 69 countries.
- Bielfeldt developed his photomicrography skills during the COVID-19 lockdown by repurposing an old microscope and creating custom tools, documenting his process through videos under his brand MacroFying.
- To capture the rapid movement of ink droplets, Bielfeldt modified the printer to keep the printhead stationary and used a flash in a dark room to freeze the droplets mid-air, relying solely on traditional techniques without AI.
- Nikon praised Bielfeldt’s work as a blend of scientific imaging, creativity, and innovation, highlighting the microscope’s role as both a scientific and artistic tool.
- The Nikon Small World competition, celebrating its 52nd year, showcases the beauty of microscopic imagery through still photos and motion videos, with winners featured in a 2027 calendar.
