The Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) competition has announced its highly anticipated shortlist for 2025. This year, 12,557 photographs were submitted across 11 distinct categories, showcasing the intricate beauty of the natural world up close. The judging panel spent over 20 hours evaluating the entries to select the top contenders.
Key Takeaways
- Over 12,500 entries were judged for the 2025 Close-up Photographer of the Year competition.
- The shortlist features stunning close-up images across 11 diverse categories, from insects to fungi.
- Winners will be announced in January 2026, with the top prize including significant cash and software.
Celebrating Nature's Hidden Details
The Close-up Photographer of the Year competition, now in its seventh year, highlights the often-unseen details of our environment. It encourages photographers to explore the small wonders around them, revealing textures, behaviors, and patterns that are invisible to the naked eye. This year's shortlist demonstrates a remarkable range of subjects and photographic techniques.
Judges faced a challenging task, sifting through thousands of images. Their rigorous selection process ensures that only the most captivating and technically proficient photographs make the cut. The competition emphasizes both artistic vision and scientific accuracy in its portrayal of wildlife and natural elements.
Competition at a Glance
- Total Entries: 12,557 photographs
- Judging Time: Over 20 hours of evaluation
- Categories: 11 distinct themes
- Top Prize: £2,500, a trophy, and Topaz Labs AI 4
Diverse Categories and Striking Imagery
The 11 categories in the competition cover a broad spectrum of close-up photography. These include Animals, Insects, Butterflies and Dragonflies, Arachnids, Invertebrate Portrait, Underwater, Intimate Landscape, Plants, Fungi, Studio Art, and Young (U18s). Each category presents unique challenges and opportunities for photographers to capture compelling images.
Notable entries on the shortlist highlight the incredible diversity. For example, 'In the Forest of Mordor' by Vincze Balint, featured in the Animals category, provides a dramatic perspective. Douglas Gimesy's 'Splash' also stands out in the Animals category, capturing a dynamic moment in nature. The Insects category boasts images like Nicolas Reytet's 'Le Projectionniste' and Mark Pal's 'Sharp Bend', both showcasing the intricate anatomy of insects.
The Genesis of CUPOTY
Close-up Photographer of the Year was established in 2018 by Tracy and Dan Calder. Their vision was to create a platform that celebrates the art of close-up and macro photography, bringing attention to the often-overlooked beauty of the miniature world. The competition has grown significantly since its inception, attracting photographers from around the globe.
Intricate Worlds of Arachnids and Fungi
The Arachnids category consistently delivers some of the most detailed and sometimes unsettling images. This year is no exception, with entries such as William Menzies' 'Nightmare on Karella Street' and Thirachet Sonakul's 'Magician'. These photographs offer a glimpse into the complex lives of spiders and other arachnids, often revealing startling colors and textures.
Fungi and Slime Moulds also provide rich subject matter for close-up photographers. Imre Potyo's 'Bearded Ghost' and Rafael Steinlesberger's 'Weevil’s End' are two examples from this category. These images highlight the delicate structures and vibrant ecosystems found within the fungal kingdom, often overlooked by casual observers.
"The shortlisted images remind us that there is immense beauty and complexity in the smallest corners of our world, waiting to be discovered through the lens," commented one observer familiar with the competition's aims.
The Art of the Invertebrate Portrait
The Invertebrate Portrait category focuses on capturing the individual character and detail of these small creatures. Andrei Chetronie's 'Leafcutter Bee' is a prime example, offering a detailed and almost personal look at an insect often seen simply as part of a larger swarm. These portraits require immense patience and technical skill to achieve sharp focus and compelling composition.
The Butterflies and Dragonflies category also features stunning works like Pal Hermansen's 'Flight' and Mark Pal's 'S'. These images often freeze moments of rapid movement, showcasing the delicate wings and vibrant colors of these flying insects. Glenys Steegh's 'Xanthocnemis Zealandica' also captures the elegance of a dragonfly in its natural habitat.
Anticipation for the Winners Announcement
The panel of 22 judges completed their extensive review process over 20 hours of virtual meetings. Their collective expertise ensures a fair and thorough evaluation of each entry. The quality of submissions this year was exceptionally high, making the selection process particularly challenging.
The anticipation for the final results is building. The Top 100 pictures, along with the overall winner and category victors, will be announced in January 2026. The overall winner will receive a substantial prize package, including £2,500, a custom trophy, and a copy of Topaz Labs AI 4. Each category winner will also be awarded £250 in cash and a Universal License for all three Affinity apps.
These awards not only recognize photographic excellence but also provide valuable tools and resources for the winning artists to continue their work. The competition plays a crucial role in promoting the art of close-up photography and fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world's intricate beauty.