Ole Bielfeldt, 25, Wins 2026 Nikon Small World Contest Among 1,802 Entries

1.7 · 9d ago · WORLD · TECH

The Facts

  • Ole Bielfeldt, a 25-year-old German experimental photographer, won the 2026 Nikon Small World photomicrography competition. Ars Technica only
  • His winning image shows droplets of ink being deposited on paper by an inkjet printer. Ars Technica only
  • The contest received 1,802 other entries from 69 countries. Ars Technica only
  • Bielfeldt took up photomicrography during the COVID-19 lockdown after finding an old microscope in his parents' attic, and built an adaptor from a tube and wood to connect it to his father's camera. Ars Technica only
  • To capture the ink drops, he modified the printer so paper moved under a stationary printhead, and shot in a dark room using a flash as the shutter to freeze the droplets mid-air. Ars Technica only
Dive deeper · 1 more factShow less
  • Bielfeldt does not use AI in his images. Ars Technica only

Context

German photographer Ole Bielfeldt won the 2026 Nikon Small World photomicrography competition with an image of inkjet ink droplets landing on paper.

The droplets moved faster than his camera's shutter speed, so he used a flash in a dark room to freeze them. He documents his techniques in behind-the-scenes videos under his brand macrofying.

How the Agent Panel Scored This

Independent AI personas each scored importance 1–10; the story's score is a trimmed mean (highest and lowest votes dropped). Vote spread: 1.

2 Informed Citizen This is a niche photography contest award for an individual artist's image, with no broad impact on ordinary people beyond minor cultural interest.
2 News Editor This is a niche arts-and-science photography contest award to a single individual, with no broad impact on large numbers of people.
1 Business Analyst This is a niche photography contest award with no market, economic, or broad public impact.

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