Posted: October 16, 2008 |
Fascinating image of marine diatoms wins 2008 Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition |
(Nanowerk News) With the appearance of gracefully swooping beams
of light or a colorful array of feathers, a dazzling photo of Pleurosigma (marine diatoms)
has won the 2008 Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition. Michael Stringer
of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, United Kingdom took home the top honor with this image,
which was magnified 200 times and taken using darkfield and polarized light.
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Michael Stringer, Pleurosigma (marine diatoms) (200X)
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Nikon Small World recognizes Mr. Stringer’s image, along with the other 2008 winners,
for showing both scientific and artistic qualities. Nearly 2,000 entries were received this
year, the most ever for the competition, from scientists and artists across the world. The
winning images were selected by a distinguished panel of judges.
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“My objective was to display diatoms in today’s modern style, through the careful
application of colors,” said Mr. Stringer, “I couldn’t be more pleased that the Small
World judges recognized the artistic vision in this image. I dedicate this award to the
diatom and especially to my dear friend, Klaus Kemp, who in my opinion creates the
most exquisite slides of these tiny bits of silica.”
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Founded in 1974 to recognize excellence in photography through the microscope, Nikon
Small World is the leading forum for celebrating the beauty and complexity of objects
seen through the light microscope. The 2008 winning photographers were recognized last
night at the Astor Center in New York City. Nikon also unveiled the complete gallery of
winning photomicrographs set to tour science and art museums across the nation
beginning October 24th. Images are also available in the Small World calendar, which can
be purchased at www.nikonsmallworld.com, and in an online gallery featured at the same
location.
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“The photo that Michael Stringer produced is remarkable, as were all the contributions to
Small World 2008,” said Lee Shuett, executive vice president, Nikon Instruments. “To
see the world’s tiniest objects captured in such a majestic way puts our very existence
into perspective.”
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The top three images include Mr. Stringer’s diatoms, Paul Marshalls’ picture of postgrowth
carbon nanotubes, and Albert Tousson’s image of Convallaria majalis (Lily of
the Valley). Nikon has also awarded several “Honorable Mentions” and “Images of
Distinction” this year to outstanding photomicrographs that demonstrate superior
technical competency and artistic skill.
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This year’s judges again represented top industry experts and included Ivan Oranksy,
Managing Editor, online, Scientific American; Alice Park, Department Head, Science,
Time Magazine; David L. Spector, Director of Research and Head of the Gene
Regulation Program, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; Ron Strum, Senior Petrographer,
CTLGroup; and Michael Davidson, Director of the Optical and Magneto-Optical Imaging
Center at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University.
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