2019 Photomicrography Competition

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6th Place

2019 Photomicrography Competition

Small white hair spider

Javier Rupérez

Location
Almáchar, Málaga, Spain
Technique
Reflected Light, Image Stacking
Magnification
20x (Objective Lens Magnification)

In Their Own Words

A Q&A with Nikon Small World winner Javier Rupérez.

What is the subject matter of your winning image and why did you choose this image?

It is a tiny spider with white hair like tiny feathers. From the position of the eyes, I would say that it belongs to the family of the Philodromidae. It was extremely small. I chose this image because of the visual impact it offers. It is a very strange and curious-looking arachnid. I can only imagine the impact it will have on the people who see it for the first time. I hope that they feel as intrigued and excited as I did. Personally, I have never seen nor photographed an arachnid like this before!

What are the special techniques and/or challenges faced in creating this photomicrograph?

This photograph was taken using the stacking technique with the Nikon BD Plan 20x-0.40 210/0 microscope objective, adapted to a reflex camera by means of a “bellows”. 125 photographs were used with steps of 0.0025 mm between each photograph.

What is your primary line of work?

Photography is not my main occupation, but it takes up all of my free time. I work as a government official, but I spend as much time as possible on photomicrography.

How long have you been taking photographs through a microscope? What first sparked your interest in photomicrography?

Since 2013. Previously, I was dedicated to conventional macro photography, but when I discovered the techniques that allow one to photograph the hidden world of insects and arachnids, I was hooked. One day I saw a photograph of a jumping spider with a magnification of 10x. I was impressed by the detail and wondered, “how on earth did they produce such a photograph?” From that moment on, I knew that I would put all my effort into learning and perfecting the techniques that make the miracle of “seeing the impossible” possible. I have not stopped taking micro photographs, adding to my body of work daily.

Do you tend to focus your microscopy toward a specific subject matter or theme? If so, why?

I have dedicated myself to the photography of all kinds of insects and arachnids. I especially like jumping spiders and insects with interesting morphologies. I enjoy insects that are visually attractive or complex, almost always due to the shape and color of their eyes. Some types of beetles are incredibly fascinating when viewed up close. Sometimes I photograph some little-known species that are of interest to entomologists and animal life specialists, which gives me a deep sense of personal satisfaction.

5th Place

2019 Photomicrography Competition

Snowflake

Caleb Foster

Affiliation
Caleb Foster Photography
Jericho, Vermont, USA
Technique

Transmitted Light

Magnification
4x (Objective Lens Magnification)

In Their Own Words

A Q&A with Nikon Small World winner Caleb Foster.

What is the subject matter of your winning image and why did you choose this image?

A snowflake from a Vermont winter storm. Snowflakes are incredibly beautiful, but also delicate and susceptible to small changes in temperature and pressure. I see this as a great analogy to our climate and world. Our ecosystems are completely intertwined; however, many people don’t take the time to see the impact their actions have on their surroundings. Just as I have to be careful in how I handle a snowflake so that it doesn’t melt during the process, we need to give careful thought to how our actions support stewardship of our shared world. I wanted to submit a snowflake image that was visually different from all others I have seen. I have spent many years working on lighting techniques that can light ice crystals in novel ways, obtaining unique images that have not been produced before.

What are the special techniques and/or challenges faced in creating this photomicrograph?

The biggest challenge was having my DIY microscope and camera outdoors in the snow. I photograph snowflakes on my back porch during a storm and have to combat wind, freezing temperatures and other factors. Handling snowflakes is a skill and has taken me numerous winters to master. Each flake is initially caught and “screened” on black velvet. The best ones are then transferred to black or clear glass slides via a small paintbrush or scalpel. The slides are placed under my photomicroscope and the photo is taken with a DSLR camera. A particularly challenging technique for this photo was the lighting. This image required numerous light sources (both above and below the stage), several mirrors and the use of a special curved mirror to separate white light into a rainbow to provide the unique color accents on the crystal.

What is your primary line of work?

My primary career has been in the field of life sciences research, using microscopy and other techniques to image and analyze cells, with the goal of discovering novel cures for various diseases. I have also had a photography business for 15 years and have built a substantial homemade photomicrography setup in my free time, merging my love of both photography and microscopy.

How long have you been taking photographs through a microscope? What first sparked your interest in photomicrography?

More than 15 years. I love to see, explore details in our world that are invisible to most people.

Do you tend to focus your microscopy toward a specific subject matter or theme? If so, why?

I’m passionate about snowflakes because each one is so timelessly beautiful but has such a brief lifespan. Trillions upon trillions of them are mass-produced in a winter storm but each one has complete uniqueness in its design. The challenge of photographing these delicate masterpieces gives me great satisfaction when I capture them.

7th Place

2019 Photomicrography Competition

Chinese red carnation stamen

Dr. Guillermo López López

Location
Alicante, Spain
Technique
Focus Stacking
Magnification
3x (Objective Lens Magnification)

In Their Own Words

A Q&A with Nikon Small World winner Dr. Guillermo López López.

What is the subject matter of your winning image and why did you choose this image?

The elevation of the stamens in a Chinese red carnation. I chose this image because of the radial symmetry of the colors and the elements. It seems that color and stamens expand as the result of an explosion.

What are the special techniques and/or challenges faced in creating this photomicrograph?

This image is produced using diffuse lighting and focus stacking.

How long have you been taking photographs through a microscope? What first sparked your interest in photomicrography?

Seriously, about two years. My first toy microscope as a child motivated me forever.

Do you tend to focus your microscopy toward a specific subject matter or theme? If so, why?

I focus on plants and flowers because I love their beauty.

Why did you enter the Nikon Small World Photomicrography competition? What do you think of the competition?

I have been following the results of the contest for years, I am fascinated by the photographs that are awarded and the honorable mentions. I was excited to try to be among them.