Technical innovation in microscopy
German photographer Ole Bielfeldt won first place in the 2026 Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition, outperforming more than 1,800 participants from 69 countries. The winning image documents with extreme precision the moment ink droplets are deposited onto paper inside an inkjet printer, a process that occurs in fractions of a second and exceeds the detection capabilities of traditional cameras.
Technical challenges and manual solutions
Bielfeldt faced a major challenge in capturing this moment due to the speed of the ink droplets, which exceeds the speed of a standard camera shutter. To overcome this obstacle, Bielfeldt dismantled the printer and modified it so that the paper moves under a stationary print head, rather than the head moving itself. He also used a completely dark room, relying on a flash to act as a substitute for shutter speed, which allowed for freezing the movement of the droplets in mid-air.
What is remarkable about this achievement is the reliance on self-developed tools rather than expensive equipment; Bielfeldt built a special adapter to connect the microscope to his father's camera, emphasizing his preference for traditional photography techniques and his non-use of artificial intelligence in processing his images.
Why does this news matter?
The importance of this work lies in its embodiment of the intersection of science and art, as it proves that the microscope is not just a laboratory research tool, but a creative means to expand our vision of the world around us. This achievement demonstrates how technology enthusiasts and hobbyists can use physical and optical principles to innovate unconventional imaging solutions, opening new horizons for understanding the precise mechanical processes we use in our daily lives.
About the Nikon competition
The Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition was established in 1974 and celebrates its 52nd anniversary this year. The competition aims to highlight the beauty and complexity of objects that can only be seen through a light microscope, whether through still images or photomicrography video techniques that have evolved significantly with technical advancements in cameras and microscopes.