The Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition lets us see beyond the capabilities of our unaided eyes. Almost 2000 entries from 70 countries vied for recognition in the 37th annual contest, which celebrates photography through a microscope. Images two through 21 showcase the contest's winners in order, and are followed by a selection of other outstanding works. Scientists and photographers turned their attention on a wide range of subjects, both living and man-made, from lacewing larva to charged couple devices, sometimes magnifying them over 2000 times their original size.

The Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition has been held for forty-five years now, celebrating the mesmerizing microscopic world and allowing scientists and enthusiasts alike to share their scientific and stunning images. Over 2000 photographs were submitted for the competition with micro-photographers from nearly 100 countries. The judges picked their top 20 images and the photo of a turtle embryo took the first place. Scroll down below to see all 20 photographs that made it to the final winner's list.

Since forty-five years now, the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition honors the fascinating microscopic world and encourages both researchers

The Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition has been held for forty-five years now, celebrating the mesmerizing microscopic world and allowing scientists and enthusiasts alike to share their scientific and stunning images. Over 2000 photographs were submitted for the competition with micro-photographers from nearly 100 countries. The judges picked their top 20 images and the photo of a turtle embryo took the first place. Scroll down below to see all 20 photographs that made it to the final winner's list.

Fan-shaped Licmophora flabellata, unlike most diatoms, are symbionts, often attaching to algae, aquatic plants, or other living substrates.

There’s so much the naked eye can’t see, but thankfully these photographers are uncovering the hidden worlds all around us.

Since forty-five years now, the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition honors the fascinating microscopic world and encourages both researchers

For the 48th time, Nikon has held its Small World Photomicrography Competition and the winners of the year 2022 have already been announced!

Nikon just announced the winners of the 2015 Small World Photomicrography Competition, and they've shared some of the winning and honored images from this year's competition with us here.