Every year, Nikon’s Small World Photomicrography Competition reminds us that some of the most extraordinary worlds exist beyond what our eyes can see. The 2025 edition of Nikon’s Small World 2025 continues this tradition, showcasing a breathtaking collection of microscopic photos that capture the hidden beauty of life on the tiniest scale.
These images aren’t just pictures—they’re glimpses into a secret universe. From colonial algae spheres shimmering in a droplet of water to the delicate pollen grains of a lily flower, every photo reveals how vibrant and complex microscopic life truly is.
Among this year’s standout images is Jianguo Mao’s mesmerizing portrait of a pregnant water flea (Daphnia) from Shanghai, offering a peek into life within a single droplet. In Panama, Rogelio Moreno captured the fragile spore sacs of a fern, while in Sweden, Dr. Stephen De Lisle turned a lily’s autofluorescent pollen into glowing art.
Other unforgettable entries include Dr. Francisco Lázaro-Diéguez’s view of a dedifferentiated liver cell, and Marek Miś’s close-up of sunflower trichomes, those tiny hair-like structures that protect the plant. Meanwhile, Dr. Igor Robert Siwanowicz from HHMI revealed the vivid blue and purple spores of a small tropical fern, turning biology into abstract art.
Each image tells a story about the unseen beauty of nature and the intricate patterns that make life possible. Whether it’s a drop of water, a single cell, or a delicate fern, these scientists and photographers transform the invisible into something unforgettable.
If you’re fascinated by microscopic life or just love stunning photography, explore the contest’s online gallery and follow Nikon’s Small World 2025 on Instagram to see the full collection. It’s a reminder that even the smallest things in our world can hold the biggest wonders.
