Close-up Photography Showcases: The Highlight Reel from the World’s Largest Competition
The Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) competition has reached its peak with the revelation of the shortlist featuring the best close-up images submitted from around the globe. Over 11,681 photographs across 11 categories have been narrowed down to a select few, showcasing the hidden wonders of the natural world. Here’s a recap of the stunning images that made it to the final stage:
The Close-up Photography of the Year 2024 Shortlist
Animals Category
- Beach master by Jonas Beyer
- Deadly Amplexus by Aloys Pichard
- Pine Marten Portrait by Csaba Daroczi
- Wallaby baby by Pedro Jarque
Insects Category
- Clash of the Titans by Ivanenko Svetlana
- Harpooned by Justin Chan
- Banded Alder Borer Sunset by Thomas Barbin
Underwater Category
- Potbellied Seahorse by Daniel Sly
- Everythings-a-ok by Gabriel Jensen
Butterflies and Dragonflies Category
- Demoiselles At Dawn by Jay Birmingham
Fungi and Slime Moulds Category
- Sandy Mushroom by Jamie Spensley
- Storm of Spores by Jose Luis Gigirey
Arachnids Category
- Eresus Walckenaeri by Aris Kolokontes
- Crazy in Love by Artur Tomaszek
- Bathroom Guest by Gustav Parenmark
Plants Category
- Carnivore by Anna Valimaki
Invertebrate Portrait Category
- Potbellied Seahorse by Daniel Sly
- Eresus Walckenaeri by Aris Kolokontes
The Contest and Competition Categories
CUPOTY, established in 2018 by Tracy and Dan Calder, remains the largest and most prestigious competition in the field of close-up, macro, and micro photography. With 11 vivid categories such as Animals, Insects, Butterflies and Dragonflies, Arachnids, Underwater, Intimate Landscape, Plants, Fungi, Studio Art, and Young (U18s), the competition encourages photographers to explore and capture the incredible details of the natural world.
Judging Process
Over 20 hours of Zoom discussions were held with 25 judges to assess the tens of thousands of submissions. Each judge played a crucial role in selecting the best photographs from the plethora of entries, ensuring that only the most captivating and technically impressive images made it to the shortlist.
Prizes and Recognition
The Close-up Photographer of the Year award comes with a staggering prize of $3,240 (£2,500) and a trophy for the overall winner. Each category winner receives $324 (£250), while the Young Close-Up Photographer of the Year winner gets the esteemed Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art lens.
Call to Action
Are you a lover of close-up photography, or do you admire the intricate beauty of nature? Explore these stunning images and check out our monthly themed challenges. Join the CUPOTY community today and discover the hidden wonders of the world through the lens of exceptional photographers.