Foto Friday – Small World

October 31, 2008 - 12:24 AM by Rachel Neiman

Let’s get small! For the past 33 years, Nikon has sponsored the international Small World Competition, the world’s foremost forum for recognizing excellence in photography with the optical microscope. This year, photomicrographer Dr. Sharona Even-Ram of Hadassah University Hospital, Ein Kerem in Jerusalem, received second place in the Popular Vote for an image of a cluster of neurons differentiated from embryonic cells. Even-Ram’s image was also named an Image of Distinction by Nikon.

Cluster of neurons differentiated from embryonic stem cells (40x) – Dr. Sharona Even-Ram

To enter this competition, first of all, you need access to some kind of light microscope — an advanced piece of equipment that most people don’t have lying around the house — and while the competition is open to both professionals and amatuers. it’s little wonder that most of the entrants work for hospitals, research institutes or laboratories.

Among the Israeli entrants, for example, Dr. Havi Sarfaty, who was awarded an Honorable Mention in the 2007 Competition, is a veterinary optometrist by day.

Desiccated garden flower - Havi Sarfaty
Desiccated garden flower (20x) – Havi Sarfaty

The first Israeli to enter the contest was Avinoam Tomar of the Nuclear Research Centre in Beer Sheva. He placed 13th and 17th in 1986 for these arresting images…

Early stage of sintering of powered bronze made for filter (20x) – Avinoam Tomar

…and given his place of work, one wonders to what these images might have been related!

Iconography at the edge of copper screen. Nickel electroless plated (10x) – Avinoam Tomar