https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/10/meet-the-2026-winner-of-nikons-small-world-photomicrography-contest/ Skip to content Ars Technica home Sections Forum Subscribe Search * AI * Biz & IT * Cars * Culture * Gaming * Health * Policy * Science * Security * Space * Tech * Feature * Reviews * AI * Biz & IT * Cars * Culture * Gaming * Health * Policy * Science * Security * Space * Tech Forum Subscribe Story text Size [Standard] Width * [Standard] Links [Standard] * Subscribers only Learn more Pin to story Theme * HyperLight * Day & Night * Dark * System Search Sign In Sign in dialog... Sign in it's a small world after all 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. Jennifer Ouellette - Oct 22, 2026 3:34 pm | 39 microscopic view of an inkjet printer depositing ink onto paper microscopic view of an inkjet printer depositing ink onto paper Credit: Ole Bielfeldt Credit: Ole Bielfeldt Text settings Story text Size [Standard] Width * [Standard] Links [Standard] * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav 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. 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. It was Bielfeldt's curiosity about the inner workings of inkjet printers that inspired his winning entry, but capturing the action of ink drops being deposited on paper was a challenge, given that the process happens so quickly. The droplets, for instance, moved faster than the camera's shutter speed. Bielfeldt's solution was to deconstruct the printer so that the paper moved under a stationary (rather than moving) printhead, and then take the image in a dark room, using a flash to serve as the shutter, thereby freezing the ink drops mid-air. There was no need for pricey equipment. Bielfeldt does not use AI in his images, preferring to rely on traditional techniques. "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. "By using a microscope objective in a different way, he transformed a familiar object into something altogether new and previously unseen. It is a reminder that the microscope is not only a scientific tool but also a creative one, capable of expanding how we see and imagine the world around us." Founded in 1974, the Nikon Small World competition celebrates its 52nd anniversary this year. In 2011, the company added the Small World in Motion competition (see the 2026 winner here). Both are meant "to showcase the beauty and complexity of things seen through the light microscope"--one through still photographs, the other through photovideography, taking advantage of all the technological advances that now allow users to make movies or time-lapse images through the microscope. Here are the top 10 winners of this year's competition; the full list, with honorable mentions, can be found here. Nikon is also producing a full-color 2027 calendar featuring the 2026 winners. Microscopic view of an inkjet printer depositing ink on paper. Microscopic view of an inkjet printer depositing ink on paper. Ole Bielfeldt Microscopic view of an inkjet printer depositing ink on paper. Ole Bielfeldt jumping spider with pollen Jumping spider with pollen. John-Oliver Dunn Jumping spider with pollen. John-Oliver Dunn neurons in an expanded mouse brain Neurons in an expanded mouse brain. Kaelin Wulf/Rachel Flannery Neurons in an expanded mouse brain. Kaelin Wulf/Rachel Flannery Jumping spider with pollen. John-Oliver Dunn Neurons in an expanded mouse brain. Kaelin Wulf/Rachel Flannery tip of a ballpoint pen Tip of a ballpoint pen. Justin Theodore Benttinen inner structure of a closed daisy Inner structure of a closed daisy. Mike Crutchley slime mold spore structure Hemitrichia slime mold spore structure (fruiting bodies). Eric Epstein Human neurons reprogrammed from skin cells growing in a microfluidic chamber Human neurons reprogrammed from skin cells growing in a microfluidic chamber. Bruno Cisterna/Eric Vitriol Pencil lead during exposure to a high-voltage electrical discharge Pencil lead during exposure to a high-voltage electrical discharge. Marcel Clemens De-differentiated liver endothelial cell De-differentiated liver endothelial cell. Francisco Lazaro-Dieguez A parasitoid wasp emerging from a butterfly chrysalis A parasitoid wasp emerging from a butterfly chrysalis. Michael Parra Peuntes Photo of Jennifer Ouellette Jennifer Ouellette Senior Writer Jennifer Ouellette Senior Writer Jennifer is a senior writer at Ars Technica with a particular focus on where science meets culture, covering everything from physics and related interdisciplinary topics to her favorite films and TV series. Jennifer lives in Baltimore with her spouse, physicist Sean M. Carroll, and their two cats, Ariel and Caliban. 39 Comments Comments Forum view Loading Loading comments... Prev story Next story Most Read 1. Listing image for first story in Most Read: China's top-secret spaceplane can't hide in low-Earth orbit 1. China's top-secret spaceplane can't hide in low-Earth orbit 2. 2. Code-execution flaw in UEFI firmware affects most servers on planet Earth 3. 3. Highway thieves are spoofing GPS to steal millions in data center-bound cargo 4. 4. Touchscreen MacBook Pro hands-on: OLED looks great on a Mac 5. 5. Apple announces touchscreen MacBook Pro with OLED display Customize Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over 25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don't need to know everything, only what's important. 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