For the seventh edition of the Close-Up Photographer of the Year competition (CUPOTY 7), the shortlist has been revealed—following a submission pool of 12,557 photographs and some 20 hours of judging by 22 experts. This year’s theme spans micro, macro, and ultra-close perspectives across 11 distinct categories—from animals and insects to plants and fungi.
A Record Year for Microscopic Masterpieces in the Close-Up Photographer of the Year Competition
The shortlist of the competition offers a window into how photography now engages spaces invisible to the naked eye. Among the standout entries: ‘Guided by the Whistles’ by Guillaume Correa‑Pimpao presents a frog perched on a leaf, its own reflection captured in the moment. Another strong image: ‘In Mother’s Arms’ by Dvir Barkay, featuring a tender scene of two sloths. These works show the marvels of wildlife and nature photography by zooming in, extending our visual field toward the minute and unexpected.
Although CUPOTY has always honored the intimate, the invisible, and the unnoticed, this year's large turnout and variety of category winners highlight how close-up photography is still developing. For instance, submissions that focus on dew-covered leaves, fungal textures, and pollen patterns that are infrequently photographed in high resolution can be found in the plants category.
Minuscule Marvels and Close-Up Details
What makes these photographs stand out is the story inside the frame. The best close-up images translate a frame into full-on emotion of what exists in the world, talking about flora and fauna, and much more! Judges examine how light, texture, and timing combine to give even the smallest subjects a sense of presence. A strand of moss can feel like a forest and a droplet, like a world. This year’s entries reveal how artists know how to show the line between documentation and imagination. The shortlisted works reveal a quiet choreography of patience, curiosity, and observation—each image a small act of seeing differently.
The final 100 photographs will be announced in January 2026, but for now, the shortlist already feels like a complete exhibition of its own. It shows that great photography needs attention and highlights for the world to see the talent that exists.
For those working in floral design, interiors, or visual culture more broadly, CUPOTY 7 is relevant in surprising ways. A macro image of a rose petal texture, a close-in shot of a beetle’s wing, or a fungus spore pattern can influence material and color choices, lighting set-ups, or textural references in design. The interplay of detail and scale shown in these photographs resonates with how designers now operate—zooming in on surface, layering light, and inspiring the subtle.
You can see all the entries running for the competition on CUPOTY's website.
Photos found on: CUPOTY.
