Full Breakdown
Close-Up Photographer of the Year Awards Showcase Nature's Hidden Wonders
2/8/2026, 10:19:38 PM
Overview of the Competition
The seventh edition of the Close-Up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) awards celebrated the intricate beauty of nature through macro and micro photography, attracting over 12,000 entries from 63 countries. A panel of 22 judges, including photographers and naturalists, evaluated submissions across 11 categories, ultimately awarding the grand prize to Australian photographer Ross Gudgeon for his image "Fractal Forest," which depicts a close-up view of a cauliflower soft coral in the Lembeh Strait, Indonesia.
Grand Award and Notable Winners
Ross Gudgeon's winning photograph, "Fractal Forest," captures the coral's unique structure, resembling a forest of pink trees. Gudgeon utilized an underwater probe lens to photograph the coral from within, revealing its intricate details. He noted, “I wanted to explore a perspective that isn’t possible with conventional lenses.”
Other notable winners include:
- Animals: Filippo Carugati's "Amphibian Galaxy," showcasing Malagasy frog eggs in Madagascar, highlights the cosmic appearance of tadpoles within their gelatinous environment.
- Insects: Imre Potyó's "Blue Army" features a swarm of endangered Danube mayflies in Hungary, illustrating their resurgence due to improved water quality.
- Arachnids: Artur Tomaszek's "Dinner" depicts a lynx spider capturing termites during a rainstorm in Hong Kong, showcasing the spider's hunting prowess amidst a chaotic scene.
Additional Category Highlights
- Fungi & Slime Moulds: Valeria Zvereva's "Mushroom in the Nude Style" presents an extreme close-up of a mushroom's gills, emphasizing its reproductive structures.
- Plants: Minghui Yuan's "Rebirth from Destruction" contrasts decaying lotus leaves with vibrant ferns, symbolizing renewal and life.
- Invertebrate Portrait: Laurent Hesemans' "Good Boy" captures the expressive features of a silkworm moth, emphasizing its photogenic qualities.
Young Photographer Recognition
Fourteen-year-old Rithved Girish from the UAE won the top honor in the Young category for his photograph of a stingless bee nest in Kerala, India. Girish's image highlights the ecological importance of these bees, which construct their homes using natural materials. He stated, “This image serves as a reminder of the vital role these tiny creatures play in maintaining ecological balance.”
Official Statements & Responses
Tracy Calder, co-founder of CUPOTY, remarked, “This was the toughest competition yet,” emphasizing the high caliber of submissions. She noted that Gudgeon's winning image embodies the essence of close-up photography, revealing hidden beauty in familiar subjects.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
The Close-Up Photographer of the Year awards not only celebrate artistic achievement but also raise awareness about environmental issues and the delicate balance of ecosystems. The next edition of the competition will open for submissions in May 2026, inviting photographers to continue exploring and capturing the wonders of the natural world.
