The world's biggest close-up and macro photography competition showcases the best images from a record 15,388 submissions
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The Close-Up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) competition, the world's largest showcase of close-up, macro, and micro photography, unveiled its 2026 shortlist on Friday. Featuring 59 captivating images, the shortlist spans 11 categories and highlights the extraordinary talent of 15,388 participants.
Competition co-founder Tracy Calder remarked, "Close-up photography has a remarkable ability to unveil hidden details and unique perspectives often overlooked by the naked eye. This year's shortlist is a testament to the boundless creativity, technical prowess, and inquisitive nature of its creators."
Among the 59 images selected, five stand out as particularly noteworthy, offering glimpses into the stories and gear behind the compelling visuals. The remaining 54 images can be explored further on the competition's website.
In the Animals category, Joao Pontes' image "Suspended" showcases a jewel-toned Solitary Wasp subduing a spider without killing it, capturing the intricate nature of the predator-prey relationship. Meanwhile, Bidyut Kalita's "The Weight of Survival" presents a Solitary Wasp carrying a paralyzed spider, highlighting the delicate balance of nature.
In the Insects category, David Myles' "Dewy Physarum album" offers an up-close view of this fascinating fungus, captured using the OM System OM-1 Mark II and OM. Zuiko 90mm f/3.5 Macro lens, with a teleconverter for added detail.
The Intimate Landscape category features Lukas Furlan's "Untitled 14," an image that reveals a hidden world when the photograph is rotated. Furlan describes the experience as a reminder of the magic that can arise from experimentation and unexpected discoveries in photography.
Finally, in the Animals category, Steffen Foerster's "Nosepick" captures a unique interaction between a blackish cinclodes or tussock-bird and a resting southern elephant seal. The bird, sensitive to ground predators, feeds on the seal's nasal mucus and damaged tissue, while the seal attempts to discourage the bird's feeding.
With such a diverse range of captivating images, the CUPOTY 2026 shortlist offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of close-up and macro photography, celebrating the creativity, technical skill, and natural curiosity of its talented participants.
Written by urgent.news from Digital Camera World's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
