With the appearance of gracefully swooping beams of light or a colourful array of feathers, a photo of Pleurosigma (marine diatoms) has won the 2008 Nikon Small World Photomicrography competition.
Michael Stringer of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, UK, took home the top honour with this image, which was magnified 200 times and taken using darkfield and polarised light.
Nikon Small World recognises 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.
'My objective was to display diatoms in today's modern style, through the careful application of colours,' said Stringer.
Nikon also unveiled the complete gallery of winning photomicrographs set to tour science and art museums across the nation, beginning 24 October.
Images are also available in the Small World calendar.
The top three images were Stringer's diatoms, Paul Marshall's picture of post-growth carbon nanotubes, and Albert Tousson's image of Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley).
Nikon has also awarded several 'Honourable Mentions' and 'Images of Distinction' this year to outstanding photomicrographs that demonstrate superior technical competency and artistic skill.
Founded in 1974 to recognise excellence in photography through the microscope, Nikon Small World is a forum for celebrating the beauty and complexity of objects seen through the light microscope.
The 2008 winning photographers were awarded at the Astor Center in New York City.
