The Close-up Photographer of the Year 5 (CUPOTY 5) competition has unveiled its winners, marking an annual celebration of the exquisite art of macro, micro, and close-up photography. The competition, co-founded by Tracy Calder and backed by Affinity Photo 2, drew in more than 11,000 entries from around the globe.

Winners and Their Captivating Images

Claiming the top accolade was Hungarian photographer Csaba Daróczi with his striking photograph titled ‘The Bird of the Forest’. Daróczi’s image, a mesmerizing shot of a Eurasian nuthatch captured from within a hollow tree stump, also secured victory in the Animals category. On the younger front, Carlos Pérez Naval attained the Young Close-up Photographer of the Year 5 title with his intriguing photograph of a Moorish gecko set against a ‘petrified forest’ backdrop.

The Competition and Its Purpose

The competition spanned 11 categories, each spotlighting the intricate and fascinating world of close-up photography. From Animals, Insects, to Butterflies & Dragonflies, the categories encompassed a wide variety of subjects, providing a stage for photographers to showcase their work, techniques, and the narratives behind their images.

Judging Process and Insights

The panel of judges, a diverse mix of scientists, naturalists, journalists, writers, and photographers, invested over 20 hours in dialogue. They delved into the entrancing natural phenomena depicted in the images, such as tadpoles consuming birds and ants discharging acid. The winning images, coupled with the Top 100 selected pictures, are now available for viewing on the CUPOTY website.

The winners, sharing their personal experiences and the inventive processes behind their award-winning photographs, echo a blend of curiosity, scientific exploration, and artistic vision. These narratives offer viewers a deeper understanding of the intricate details and the immense patience that go into capturing such stunning close-up images.