Some people associate science with never-ending double periods at school, tricky physics equations and bespectacled professors. The Visions of Science photographic awards scheme aims to change this by devising a competition which encourages links between science and the arts.

Now in its sixth year, over 2,000 people entered the competition in 2005 and there was fierce debate over who would win in the five main categories: action, close-up, people, concepts and art. There were also awards for budding photographers in the 17-18-years-old and 16 and under categories – one of whom captured the image of a balloon mid-pop.

All of the winning entries from the 2005 competition are currently on display in a touring exhibition, which will continue until September this year. They include the image of a hatching mosquito, a weevil hidden within a pea, the surprisingly beautiful growth pattern of crystals in paracetamol solution, and the intriguingly vivid depiction of a barn as seen during a migraine attack.

The images cover many different areas of science, and were captured using a variety of techniques, from state-of-the-art microscopes to standard and digital cameras. Entrants' professions are just as varied and winners include professors, doctors, researchers, scanning electron microscopists, photographers and students as well as artists.

Salt and pepper in close-up, starfish on a leaf and the origin of life as represented through falling eggs must be seen to be appreciated, so try to catch this exhibition in Brighton, Birmingham or Rutland. Don't forget to read the captions as you view the bold images, to find out what you're really looking at and to learn just a little bit more about science.

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