This 200x photomicrograph of marine diatoms was taken by Michael Stringer, of Westcliff-on-Sea, in the United Kingdom. A retired ophthalmic nurse practitioner, Stringer collects and studies diatoms, a kind of algae, from local tributaries and makes a hobby of microscopic photography.
For this image, Stringer used high contrast and color application to create dramatic effect in his image of the oft-photographed genus Pleurosigma. His diatoms won him first place overall in the contest (worth $3,000 toward the purchase of Nikon equipment).
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