All the small things: Nikon photo contest reveals the unseen world around us

The winners of the 52nd annual Nikon Small World photo contest highlight the artistry of photomicrography.

Have you ever wondered what happens inside an inkjet printer cartridge when you click "print"? The incredible precision of inkjet engineering was captured by this year's Nikon Small World contest winner. The winning photo by Ole Bielfeldt of Germany shows microscopic nozzles firing droplets of ink one-tenth the width of a human hair onto paper.

Since 1975, the photomicrography competition has offered a glimpse of the world around us that is not visible to the naked eye. This year's event drew entries from hundreds of scientists and artists across the globe.

From a wasp emerging from a butterfly chrysalis to the tip of a ballpoint pen, check out some of this year's images showcasing the stunning beauty of the unseen world.

All images courtesy of Nikon Small World

Microscopic view of an inkjet printer depositing ink onto paper

Jumping spider with pollen

Tip of a ballpoint pen

Inner structure of a closed daisy

Pencil lead during exposure to a high-voltage electrical discharge

A wasp emerging from a butterfly chrysalis

Neurons of red-eared slider embryo

A kidney stone showing two formations: a smoother mineral buildup and sharp crystalline growth

Adult fungus gnat caught in the sticky trichomes of a cannabis plant

Gills of Norwegian freshwater pearl mussel