The winners of the 2008 Nikon Small World competition have been announced. Michael Stringer’s dazzling photo of Pleurosigma (marine diatoms) was magnified 200 times and taken using darkfield and polarized light. “My objective was to display diatoms in today’s modern style, through the careful application of colors,” said Mr. Stringer, “I couldn’t be more pleased that the Small World judges recognized the artistic vision in this image.” The 2008 gallery of winning images can be viewed at www.nikonsmallworld.com .

Nikon Press Release

MARINE DIATOMS CAPTURE TOP HONORS AT NIKON SMALL WORLD 2008

Astor Center Hosts Top Photomicrographs from Around the World

NEW YORK, October 16, 2008 – With the appearance of gracefully swooping beams of light or a colorful array of feathers, a dazzling photo of Pleurosigma (marine diatoms) has won the 2008 Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition. Michael Stringer of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, United Kingdom took home the top honor with this image, which was magnified 200 times and taken using darkfield and polarized light.

Nikon Small World recognizes Mr. 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 colors,” said Mr. Stringer, “I couldn’t be more pleased that the Small World judges recognized the artistic vision in this image. I dedicate this award to the diatom and especially to my dear friend, Klaus Kemp, who in my opinion creates the most exquisite slides of these tiny bits of silica.”

Founded in 1974 to recognize excellence in photography through the microscope, Nikon Small World is the leading forum for celebrating the beauty and complexity of objects seen through the light microscope. The 2008 winning photographers were recognized last night at the Astor Center in New York City. Nikon also unveiled the complete gallery of winning photomicrographs set to tour science and art museums across the nation beginning October 24th. Images are also available in the Small World calendar, which can be purchased at www.nikonsmallworld.com, and in an online gallery featured at the same
location.

“The photo that Michael Stringer produced is remarkable, as were all the contributions to Small World 2008,” said Lee Shuett, executive vice president, Nikon Instruments. “To see the world’s tiniest objects captured in such a majestic way puts our very existence into perspective.”

The top three images include Mr. Stringer’s diatoms, Paul Marshalls’ picture of postgrowth carbon nanotubes, and Albert Tousson’s image of Convallaria majalis (Lily of the Valley). Nikon has also awarded several “Honorable Mentions” and “Images of Distinction” this year to outstanding photomicrographs that demonstrate superior technical competency and artistic skill.

This year’s judges again represented top industry experts and included Ivan Oranksy, Managing Editor, online, Scientific American; Alice Park, Department Head, Science, Time Magazine; David L. Spector, Director of Research and Head of the Gene Regulation Program, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory; Ron Strum, Senior Petrographer, CTLGroup; and Michael Davidson, Director of the Optical and Magneto-Optical Imaging Center at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory at Florida State University.

The 2008 gallery of winning images can be viewed at www.nikonsmallworld.com

ABOUT THE NIKON SMALL WORLD PHOTOMICROGRAPHY COMPETITION
The Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition is open to anyone with an interest in photography. Participants may submit their images in traditional 35mm format, or upload digital images directly at www.nikonsmallworld.com. The first and second of 20 prize winners will receive a selection of Nikon products and equipment worth $3,000 and $2,000 respectively. For additional information, contact Nikon Small World, Nikon Instruments Inc., 1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747, USA or phone (631) 547-8569. Entry forms for Nikon’s 2007 Small World Competition may also be downloaded from www.nikonsmallworld.com.

ABOUT NIKON INSTRUMENTS INC.
Nikon Instruments Inc., world leader in microscope and advance digital imaging technology, is committed to providing its customers with quality products for bioscience research and industrial applications; high-performance semiconductor wafer handling and inspection equipment, and advance high-speed, vision-based and optical measuring tools. For more information, visit the Nikon Web site at www.nikoninstruments.com. Product related inquiries can be directed to Nikon Instruments at 800-52-NIKON.

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