Open Call: Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition

The Nikon Small World Competition is open to anyone with an interest in photography through the microscope. Winners have included both professionals and hobbyists.

Nikon welcomes a broad range of subject matter, and any type of light microscopy technique is acceptable, including phase contrast, polarized light, fluorescence, interference contrast, darkfield, confocal, deconvolution, and mixed techniques. Entries submitted to Nikon are then judged by an independent panel of experts who are recognized authorities in the area of photomicrography and photography. These entries are judged on the basis of originality, informational content, technical proficiency and visual impact.

Prize Information

• There will be twenty (20) winners ranked from first (1st) place through twentieth (20th) place, plus Honorable Mention prizes, and prizes for images of distinction if and as determined by the Judges (collectively, the “Prizes”).
  • First Prize: Five Thousand U.S. Dollars ($5,000.00)
  • Second Prize: Three Thousand U.S. Dollars ($3,000.00)
  • Third Prize: One Thousand Five Hundred U.S. Dollars ($1,500.00)
  • Fourth Prize: Eight Hundred U.S. Dollars ($800.00)
  • Fifth Prize: Six Hundred U.S. Dollars ($600.00)
  • Sixth Prize: Four Hundred U.S. Dollars ($400.00)
  • Seventh, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Prizes: Three Hundred U.S. Dollars ($300.00) each.
  • Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth Prizes: Two Hundred U.S. Dollars ($200.00) each.
• Honorable Mentions: One Hundred U.S. Dollars ($100.00) each. The number of Honorable Mention Prizes will be determined by the Judges in their sole discretion.
• Images of Distinction: One (1) Nikon-branded promotional item, having a retail value of approximately Thirty-Five U.S. Dollars ($35.00) (the “Premium Item”). The number of Images of Distinction Prizes will be determined by the Judges in their sole discretion. Nikon may in its sole discretion, provide the winner with a Gift Card (defined below) in the amount of Thirty-Five U.S. Dollars ($35.00), in substitution of the Premium Item.
• All Prizes (except for the Premium Item if not substituted by Nikon) will be awarded in the form of a Visa gift card preloaded in the amount of the Prize in U.S. Dollars (the “Gift Card”). Visa is not a sponsor of or otherwise associated with this Competition. The Gift Card is subject to Visa’s applicable terms and conditions, which may include an expiration date for use.

Eligibility Criteria 

• The Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition is open only to individuals who are at least 18 years old at the time of entry and have access to a light microscope. The following individuals are not eligible to enter the Competition :
  • Employees of Nikon Instruments Inc., Shaw & Todd, Inc., their respective parent companies and affiliated companies, and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employee,
  • The Competition Judges, regardless of the date of appointment, and/or their immediate family and household members, and/or
  • Individuals engaged (as a business owner or employee) in the manufacture, distribution, and/or sale of microscopes, related accessories, and/or photographic equipment. Participation in the Competition and/or the Receipt of Any Prize may be Restricted or Void Where Prohibited.

For more information, visit Nikon Small World.