Ink droplets in motion snag top prize in Nikon Small World contest

	Ink droplets in motion snag top prize in Nikon Small World contest(arstechnica.com)
	293 points by _Microft 2 days ago \| 45 comments
	tl;dr: Ole Bielfeldt won the 52nd annual Nikon Small World competition with a microscope image capturing an inkjet printer depositing ink droplets onto paper. The contest, founded in 1974, highlights the artistry and science of light microscopy, and now includes a companion Small World in Motion video competition launched in 2011. Winning images will be featured in Nikon's 2027 calendar.
	HN Discussion: ↑Other winning entries like the mouse brain and jumping spider are equally stunning ↑The photo looks unreal or AI-generated, highlighting its otherworldly quality ↑Appreciation for inkjet printer technology and amazement at its tiny mechanics •Providing additional context about the photographer's rig and prior work ~Skepticism about the paper's appearance, which looks unlike typical paper under a microscope