Nikon Small World 2026 Winner Captures Inkjet Droplets
A 25-year-old experimental photographer from Germany has claimed the top prize in the 52nd annual Nikon Small World competition.
Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer
An Inkjet Printer Captured Under the Microscope
A 25-year-old German experimental photographer has secured the top prize in the 2026 Nikon Small World photomicrography competition. Ole Bielfeldt emerged victorious after competing against 1,802 other entries hailing from 69 different countries, according to a report by Jennifer Ouellette published on [Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/10/meet-the-2026-winner-of-nikons-small-world-photomicrography-contest/).
Bielfeldt's winning entry features a microscopic view of droplets of ink being deposited onto paper by an inkjet printer. The striking photograph highlights the intricate mechanics of everyday technology viewed through specialized optical equipment.
Origins in the COVID-19 Lockdown
Bielfeldt's journey into photomicrography began during the COVID-19 lockdown after he discovered an old microscope in his parents' attic. Lacking specialized commercial gear, he engineered an adaptor using a tube and some wood to connect the microscope to his father's camera.
Through trial and error, he taught himself the craft and built custom tools as needed. He documents his creative process and behind-the-scenes captures of everyday objects on [macrofying](https://www.macrofying.com/), his personal photography and videography brand.
Engineering the Winning Shot
Curiosity regarding the inner workings of inkjet printers inspired the winning project. However, capturing the deposition of ink drops presented a major technical hurdle because the action occurs faster than a standard camera's shutter speed.
To overcome this limitation, Bielfeldt deconstructed the printer so the paper moved underneath a stationary printhead instead of a moving one. He then captured the image inside a dark room, using a flash as the shutter to freeze the moving ink drops mid-air without relying on expensive equipment or artificial intelligence.
Praise from Nikon Instruments
Commenting on the achievement, [said Eric Flem](https://www.nikonsmallworld.com/news/52nd-annual-nikon-small-world-competition-winner), a spokesperson for Nikon Instruments, noted that the winning photograph embodies the core values of the competition by merging microscope imaging with genuine ingenuity and artistry.
Flem added that utilizing a microscope objective in an unconventional way allowed Bielfeldt to transform a familiar object into something entirely new, demonstrating that the microscope serves as a creative tool as much as a scientific one.
A Legacy of Microscopic Art
Founded originally in 1974, the Nikon Small World competition is celebrating its 52nd anniversary. The companion Small World in Motion competition was later established in 2011 to showcase light microscope videos and time-lapse imagery. Additional details about the contest and entries can be explored directly on [here](https://www.nikonsmallworld.com).
Nikon is also releasing a full-color 2027 calendar featuring the top winners from this year's competition, highlighting the beauty and complexity of microscopic subjects.
Sources
- Ars TechnicaMeet the 2026 winner of Nikon's Small World photomicrography contest
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