The Best Images From the Shortlist of Close-Up Photographer of the Year

Oct 29, 2024

Matt Growcoot

Left: Close-up of a spider's face with large eyes and hairy body. Right: Walrus in icy water with large tusks, snow-covered mountains in the background. — Photo credit: Aris Kolokontes, left, Jonas Beyer, right.

The shortlist for Close-Up Photographer of the Year has been revealed. The judges whittled down 11,681 photographs to a select few.

“After 20 hours of Zoom calls with 25 judges assessing over 11,000 photographs across 11 categories, the shortlist for Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) has been revealed,” a press release reads.

The 11 categories include Animals, Insects, Butterflies and Dragonflies, Arachnids, Invertebrate Portrait, Underwater, Intimate Landscape, Plants, Fungi, Studio Art, and Young (U18s).

The top prize is $3,240 (£2,500) in cash and a trophy. Each category winner will receive $324 (£250) while the Young Close-Up Photographer of the Year will get a Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art lens and a trophy too.

Here’s PetaPixel’s selection from the shortlist.

A fish is caught in the partially open mouth of a large clam underwater. The fish is facing the camera, with its body partially encased by the clam's shell. The scene is set against a dark, murky background. — Everythings-a-ok. Shortlisted in the Underwater category. | Gabriel Jensen / CUPOTY

Two stag beetles silhouetted against a blurred background, engaged in combat on a mossy branch. Their large mandibles are prominently featured in the dramatic lighting. — Clash of the Titans. Shortlisted in the Insects category. | Ivanenko Svetlana / CUPOTY

A small mushroom covered with tiny grains of colorful sand on its cap stands against a soft green and beige background, creating a whimsical, earthy scene. — Sandy Mushroom. Shortlisted in the Fungi and Slime Moulds category. | Jamie Spensley / CUPOTY

Two dragonflies perched on a curved plant in silhouette against a vibrant orange sunset. The sun forms a glowing backdrop, highlighting the delicate structure of the dragonflies' wings. — Demoiselles At Dawn. Shortlisted in the Butterflies and Dragonflies category. | Jay Birmingham / CUPOTY

A mystical scene with a cluster of small, textured mushrooms surrounded by a swirling mist, illuminated by blue light. The background is dark and atmospheric, adding to the otherworldly appearance. — Storm of Spores. Shortlisted in the Fungi and Slime Moulds category. | Josè Luis Gigirey / CUPOTY

A seahorse underwater, surrounded by a mystical swirl of blue and green light. The seahorse is dark with small red accents, creating a dramatic and ethereal atmosphere. — Potbellied Seahorse. Shortlisted in the Underwater category. | Daniel Sly / CUPOTY

A vibrant red ant aggressively interacts with a flying insect on a mossy surface. The ant's mandibles are raised, and the insect flutters its wings. The background is dark and blurred, highlighting the intense scene. — Harpooned. Shortlisted in the Insects category. | Justin Chan / CUPOTY

A banded longhorn beetle with black and white stripes climbs on a tree trunk covered with yellow lichen. The sun sets in the background, casting a warm glow over the landscape. — Banded Alder Borer Sunset. Shortlisted in the Invertebrate Portrait category. | Thomas Barbin / CUPOTY

A group of toads is piled on top of each other on a textured, dark surface. Their eyes are prominently red, and their skin appears bumpy and textured. The image focuses on the unique positioning and detail of the toads' features. — Deadly Amplexus. Shortlisted in the Animals category. | Aloys Pichard / CUPOTY

A curious animal, possibly a marten, looks into the camera from the base of a tree in a forest. The black and white photo captures tall trees with branches reaching up to the sky, creating a striking contrast against the bright sky. — Pine Marten Portrait. Shortlisted in the Animals category. | Csaba Daroczi / CUPOTY

A walrus with long tusks emerges from icy water, surrounded by snow-covered mountains. The creature's whiskered face is centered, with the overcast sky enhancing the cold, arctic atmosphere. — Beach master. Shortlisted in the Animals category. | Jonas Beyer / CUPOTY

A baby kangaroo, or joey, partially emerges from its mother's pouch, showing its face and paws. The fur around the pouch is grey, and the joey's skin is smooth and pinkish-brown. — Wallaby baby. Shortlisted in the Animals category. Pedro Jarque / CUPOTY

A large spider with long legs clings to the side of a white toilet bowl against a dimly lit bathroom wall. The scene gives an eerie, unsettling atmosphere. — Bathroom Guest. Shortlisted in the Arachnids category. | Gustav Parenmark / CUPOTY

Close-up of a hairy black spider's face, showing two dark glossy eyes and textured fur-like surface. The details highlight the spider's unique features and intricate patterns. — Eresus Walckenaeri. Shortlisted in the Invertebrate Portrait category. | Aris Kolokontes / CUPOTY

Close-up of a mossy leaf-tailed gecko camouflaged on a branch. Its textured skin mimics tree bark with rough, lichen-like patterns. The gecko's eyes are slightly visible, contributing to its natural disguise against the dark background. — Crazy in Love. Shortlisted in the Arachnids category. | Artur Tomaszek / CUPOTY

A close-up image of a dewy plant with vibrant green and red leaves surrounded by glistening water droplets. The background features an array of colorful, circular bokeh effects, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. — Carnivore. Shortlisted in the Plants category. | Anna Valimaki / CUPOTY

Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) was founded in 2018 by Tracy and Dan Calder. It is the largest competition in the world dedicated to close-up, macro, and micro photography. CUPOTY’s aim is to reveal the hidden wonder of the world.

It is supported by a popular newsletter and runs a themed challenge throughout November.