A method of forming nanolenses for imaging includes providing an optically transparent substrate having a plurality of particles disposed on one side thereof. The optically transparent substrate is located within a chamber containing therein a reservoir holding a liquid solution. The liquid solution is heated to form a vapor within the chamber, wherein the vapor condenses on the substrate to form nanolenses around the plurality of particles. The particles are then imaged using an imaging device. The imaging device may be located in the same device that contains the reservoir or a separate imaging device.