Svetlana Ivanenko from Russia has won the title of Close-Up Photographer of the Year 6 with her photo “Clash of the Titans.” The image shows two stag beetles battling for dominance in the Voronezh region of Russia. The Close-Up Photographer of the Year competition celebrates close-up, macro, and micro photography. It reveals the amazing hidden wonders of our natural world.
The sixth annual competition attracted more than 11,000 entries from 61 countries. A panel of 25 photographers, scientists, journalists, and editors judged the entries. They selected 100 finalists across 11 categories.
Ivanenko won a $3,000 cash prize for her winning photo. “Close-up photography is a celebration of curiosity, and this year’s Top 100 is a true testament to the artistry of everyone involved as well as an invitation to look, marvel at, and honor the world around us,” said CUPOTY co-founder Tracy Calder.
Award highlights stunning close-up photography
The Young Close-Up Photographer of the Year title went to 14-year-old Andrés Luis Dominguez Blanco from Spain. His stunning image shows a European Bee-eater in mid-flight, clutching an insect in its beak. Other notable winners include Yong Miao from China, who won the Butterflies & Dragonflies category.
Barry Webb from the UK took first place in the Fungi & Slime Molds category. Pierluigi Rizzo from Italy won the Arachnids category. Santiago J.
Monroy García from Colombia won the Animals category with his photo “God in the Shadows.” Gabriel Jensen from the USA won the Underwater category with “Everything’s A-OK.”
The winning images showcase a variety of natural wonders, from microscopic fungi to elusive forest creatures. They demonstrate the extraordinary beauty of the world often unnoticed by the naked eye. These photographs remind us of the immense diversity and intricate details that make up our natural ecosystems.