If seeing is believing, then we have a very small fraction of the world to believe in. It’s true that we miss much of what’s available to be seen as a result of our brain not wanting to give us more than we can handle. Carnegie Mellon University psychology and neuroscience assistant professor Timothy Verstynen asserts that as much as 90% of what we “see” could be fabricated by our brains. Compared with the limited version of reality we’ve grown accustomed to, processing the inessential would likely be paralyzing — or just plain weird.
Trippy perception theories aside, cutting-edge photographic technology has given us a window into realms previously unknown to human perception — and we’re not just talking about faraway planets brought to our smartphone screens by NASA. Nikon’s Small World Photomicrography Competition has given us an inside look into a world hidden right before our very eyes. The best part? You can experience these micro-worlds for as long or as little as you like.
Check out the slideshow above to see the competition winners as well the most mind-bending runner-ups.
















 A boss speak to an employee at workCanva
 A boss speak to an employee at workCanva A broom in a dirty roomCanva
 A broom in a dirty roomCanva Gof of man saying "Who doesn't want to see a happy ending?" via
Gof of man saying "Who doesn't want to see a happy ending?" via 
 Stressed man covering his face during a move.Image via
 Stressed man covering his face during a move.Image via  Spaghetti Bolognese.Image via
 Spaghetti Bolognese.Image via  Riding bikes on a beautiful day.Image via
 Riding bikes on a beautiful day.Image via  Hi-tech movie room.Image via
 Hi-tech movie room.Image via  The Beatles
 The Beatles  Friends enjoying pizza.Image via
 Friends enjoying pizza.Image via  Volunteers for a neighborhood cleanup event.Image via
 Volunteers for a neighborhood cleanup event.Image via  A cluttered corner of the garage.Image via
 A cluttered corner of the garage.Image via  Outdoor heart meditation in a group.Image via
 Outdoor heart meditation in a group.Image via  Leaning a foreign language online.Image via
 Leaning a foreign language online.Image via  A sloth is meditating.
 A sloth is meditating. 
 A woman comforts a man on the subwayCanva
 A woman comforts a man on the subwayCanva Man on a subway car takes a moment to collect himselfCanva
 Man on a subway car takes a moment to collect himselfCanva

 Representative Image: She couldn't understand why he wouldn't "just" get a job.
 Representative Image: She couldn't understand why he wouldn't "just" get a job.  Representative Image: A simple question became an unexpected friendship.
 Representative Image: A simple question became an unexpected friendship.
 Security cam footageCanva
 Security cam footageCanva Gif that reads "We've got your back" via
Gif that reads "We've got your back" via  Salesman at car dealership speaks to a woman in a carCanva
 Salesman at car dealership speaks to a woman in a carCanva Hands held up to the sky make a 'heart' signCanva
 Hands held up to the sky make a 'heart' signCanva