The 36th Annual Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition announced that April 30 is the deadline to submit images taken through the light microscope. The oldest and most respected competition of its kind, Nikon Small World celebrates the world's best photomicrographers who display sophisticated scientific disciplines, while presenting an understanding of the beauty that can occur when science and art are joined. Winners of the prestigious competition receive international attention in leading scientific and general interest publications and Web sites. In previous years, coverage has appeared in a variety of media outlets including publication such as Newsweek, The New York Times, National Geographic, Nature, Popular Science and others. This 200× brightfield microscopy image of a GaAs sample oxidized in water vapor earned an Image of Distinction designation for Dr. Pedro Barrios-Perez of the Institute for Microstructural Sciences in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. (Image: Nikon Instruments) “I was extremely honored to receive recognition by the Nikon Small World Competition,” said Heiti Paves, a scientist of Tallinn University of Technology and 2009 Nikon Small World first place winner. “Over the years, the Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition has celebrated thousands of beautiful images, and I believe I speak on behalf of all winners when I say we are happy to share our pictures and raise interest in our work broadly through this contest.” Contestants may submit up to three images, either digitally at www.nikonsmallworld.com, or via film at Nikon Small World, 1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, N.Y. 11747-3064. Rules and entry forms also are available at the Web site. Entries will be judged by industry experts on a variety of criteria including originality, informational content, technical proficiency and visual impact. Entrants may use any brand of equipment to create their images. Entrants with the top 20 photos will receive prizes of Nikon equipment, with first and second prize winners receiving $3000 and $2000 worth of equipment respectively. Additionally, the winning images will be featured at museums across the country as part of the Nikon Small World Museum Tour. For more information, visit: www.nikonsmallworld.com