The wonders of nature - most of them invisible to the naked eye. But some scientists, out to prove that they do have an artistic side, have captured these wonders in images (via light microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, etc.) to make us all realize the beauties that nature throws our way.

The Medical Photographic Library has just selected the winners of the Biomedical Image Awards, which promises a "striking display of shapes and patterns, and illustrates the microscopic structures of living organisms in a spectacular variety of ways". Here are some of the amazing photos that made it to the 2006 list:

Hugh Sturrock has captured the Anopheles stephensi, more popularly known as a mosquito, with its abdomen brimming with blood. This mosquito is known for killing "more than half the humans that have ever lived" due to its role in transmitting malaria and yellow fever.

This is a confocal micrograph by Ludovic Collin showing a cluster of special nerve cells called cerebellar granule cells.

The black spot represents the optic disc, where blood vessels in the retina are shown emerging. This image is called a "blind spot" as no light receptor cells are present. This image was captured by Freya Mowat via confocal micrograph.

Check out the rest of the Biomedical Image Awards Gallery 2006 here.

London newspaper The Times is holding a photography contest! Basically, it's a contest wherein each entry must be a photograph taken using camphone and must be the original work of the author and not previously published.

Although prize winners must be residents of the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland (ROI), entries from other locations will be considered for publication in The Times or on Times Online, but will not be eligible for prizes. But if you just want some exposure then go ahead and join.

The judges will also select a weekly winner whose entry will be published in the Times Online. Each weekly winner will receive either a K750i or K800i mobile handset. All entries must be in before November 2, 2006. From those weekly winners, the judges will again select one to be the monthly winner. From the monthly winners, a grand winner will be selected.

The prizes? The overall winner will receive a day with one of The Times's top photographers, an all-expenses-paid trip to a European city (the trip includes a six-night stay in a European city, flights, accommodation and transfers) and entry into the International Imaging Competition in association with Sony Ericsson. Nice!

For the full terms and conditions of the contest, click on the 'Read' link.

Are you an aspiring photographer?  Are you also a student?  As long as you fit into the latter of these two guidelines, you can enter yourself into Microsoft's Future Photographer Contest.  There's a $20,000 cash grand prize, which also scores you a digital workflow prize package (I'm thinking decent computer system).  There will also be 3 First Prizes awarded in three separate categories.  So if you've got some good snaps - or can go take some good snaps - of Nature & Landscapes, People & Portraits, and Fine Art, you could get yourself $2,000 and the digital workflow prize package.  It's worth a shot at least, right?  Your entries need to be in during the month of May, so get on it!

Last week we interviewed John Watson - the Flickr Toys guy.  That's old news now, as he's launched a little site called photodoto.  Photodoto is created with the intent of offering lots of great photo tips and help for the budding photographer.  Based on the photos that John shoots, I'm sure there will be some great insights shared with the internets.  Take a look and see what you think.

In fact, to kick things off, photodoto is having a photo contest!  You could win a Canon Digital Elph, 1GB Compact Flash card, or a 1 year Pro membership on Flickr.  Nice way to start it off, eh?

Photo Competition that is.  The Nikon Small World Photo Comp is for the beyond-macro enthusiasts amongst us.  When I first heard about the competition, I was excited, expecting to see some very cool macro-style shots.  But it goes far beyond that, looking for microscopic type photographs.  I'm not very familiar with this genre, but it surely sounds interesting.

The Nikon Competition is centered around photomicrographers, who take their pictures through light microscopes.  It's origins in are scientifically-grounded, but does not limit this international competition to any subject-matter or micro-photography techniques. 

If you're into this scene, post some links to great work you've found in the comments below.  I'd love to see what this stuff is all about.  If you're interested in entering, you've got just about a month before the April 28th deadline hits.

The National Press Photographer's Association has a terrific contest for the best photojournalists.  It's not limited to professionals either, so there's a great mixture of styles and creativity.  I personally love finding these programs, because my bookmarks fill-up with new and amazing photographers' work.  There's always someone else out there doing something incredible, and I love seeing the creativity out there.  I'm constantly inspired to try new things, and keep shooting to sharpen my skills and knowledge.

Go check out the 2006 winners and be inspired.  Try something new.  Find a new site/photographer to check out daily or weekly.  Enjoy.

National Geographic has begun publishing consumer photos through their [nearly] new "Your Shot Contest".  Each month they will announce a theme, and choose a winner from the first 5,000 entries.  Seems like a cool way to get your work in a fantastic international publication - that is, if you can beat out the other 4,999 entrants. 

Currently they're looking for a winning photo for the July 2006 issue.  The theme is, My Family.  Go!  In the meantime, you can go see the 2 month archive of winners, so you know what you're up against.