Stunning Macro Photography Captures the Wonders of the Microscopic World
From clashing stag beetles to a resting damselfly, the winners of the latest Close-up Photographer of the Year competition (CUPOTY) showcase the incredible beauty hidden in the tiniest corners of our world.
A Celebration of Curiosity: Who Won CUPOTY 2023?
Founded in 2018 by Tracy and Dan Calder, CUPOTY celebrates the artistry of close-up, macro, and micro photography. Open to all skill levels, the competition invites photographers to unleash their creativity and reveal the “hidden wonder” around us. This year’s competition drew hundreds of entries, with a top 100 highlighted for their exceptional quality and artistic vision.
Tracy Calder, one of CUPOTY’s founders, shared her thoughts on the winning images: “Every year I’m fortunate enough to spend time with scientists, editors, naturalists, journalists and photographers while judging CUPOTY, and every year I’m blown away by the calibre of entries. Close-up photography is a celebration of curiosity, and this year’s top 100 is a true testament to the artistry of everyone involved as well as an invitation to look, marvel at and honour the world around us.
‘Clash of the Titans’ by Svetlana Ivanenko, overall winner of Close-up Photographer of the Year
Svetlana Ivanenko’s Close-up Photographer of the Year winning image, titled ‘Clash of the Titans’, captures two stag beetles battling for dominance. Ivanenko explained her drive for the photograph: “Witnessing this beautiful event makes me want to share it with everyone.”
Inspiring Young Photographers
The Young Close-up Photographer of the Year Award went to 14-year-old Andrés Luis Dominguez Blanco, whose captivating image, ‘Spring,’ showcases a European Bee-eater in mid-flight, carrying an insect in its beak. This powerful shot originated from Dominguez Blanco’s strategic bird hide placement over weekends in southern Spain, allowing for a fleeting moment captured perfectly.
‘Spring’ by Andrés Luis Dominguez Blanco, Young Close-up Photographer of the Year
Celebrating Biodiversity: Winners Across Diverse Categories
The 2023 CUPOTY competition honored outstanding close-up photography across a diverse range of categories, including Animals, Butterflies & Dragonflies, Arachnids, Invertebrate Portraits, Underwater, Plants, Fungi & Slime Moulds, and Intimate Landscapes. Each category featured a unique set of winning images, highlighting the beauty and intricacies of life in all its forms.
From a dramatic image of the only bear species native to South America, the Andean bear, to a mesmerising shot of a bark spider in a Malaysian jungle, to the intricate tunnels of bark beetle larvae in a spruce tree, the winning photographs showcase nature’s beauty and complexity. To fully appreciate the detail and artistry captured in each winning image, be sure to visit CUPOTY’s website
Capture the Microscopic Wonders: Entries Open for Next Year’s Competition
Keep an eye out for announcements on the official CUPOTY website for details about the 2024 competition.
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