The Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) 2025 competition has unveiled its impressive shortlist, featuring an extraordinary collection of wildlife and nature photography that captures the intricate beauty of the natural world. The selection includes breathtaking images of butterflies in vibrant detail, frogs striking photogenic poses, spiders captured in their hunting moments, and sloths in tender embraces. The announcement marks another milestone for this prestigious photography competition that celebrates the art of close-up nature photography.
The shortlisted photographs represent a diverse range of subjects and techniques, showcasing the incredible skill of photographers from around the globe. Among the standout entries are Pavel Krásenský's 'Hungry Springtails,' which captures these tiny creatures in remarkable detail, and Clay Bolt's 'Orchid Bee Colombia,' highlighting the dazzling beauty of one of nature's most important pollinators. Daniel Sly's 'Ethereal Frogfish' presents an otherworldly view of marine life, while Tony North's 'Ash Cicada Exuvia' documents the fascinating process of insect metamorphosis.
Several photographers have contributed multiple works to the shortlist, demonstrating exceptional talent in close-up photography. Imre Potyó features twice with 'Bearded Ghost' and 'Light Trap,' both showcasing different aspects of macro photography techniques. Similarly, Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas appears with two compelling entries: 'It's a Trap!' and 'Predator,' both capturing the dramatic moments of nature's survival stories. Rafael Steinlesberger also contributes two photographs, 'Weevil's End' and 'Precarious Perch,' highlighting the delicate balance of life in the natural world.
The shortlist includes remarkable studies of insect behavior and anatomy, with entries like Uwe Zimmermann's 'Bee in Flight' capturing the precise moment of aerial movement, and Andrei Chetronie's 'Leafcutter Bee' showcasing these industrious insects in their natural habitat. Barry Webb's 'Mite Feeding on Slime Mould' presents an unusual microscopic ecosystem, while Paweł Ty's '3 Springtails' demonstrates the photographic potential of often-overlooked tiny creatures.
Among the most emotionally resonant images is Dvir Barkay's 'In Mothers Arms,' which serves as the top image for the competition announcement and captures an intimate moment between parent and offspring in nature. Other notable entries include Guillaume Correa-Pimpao's 'Guided by the Whistles,' Justin Chan's creatively titled 'Pumpkin Spice,' and Douglas Gimesy's dynamic 'Splash,' each offering unique perspectives on wildlife behavior and natural phenomena.
The shortlist also features several entries that explore the darker and more mysterious aspects of nature. Lorenzo Shoubridge's 'The Dark Side' and Vincze Balint's 'In the Forest of Mordor' create atmospheric compositions that reveal the dramatic beauty found in nature's shadows. Willi Roman's 'Frog in the Wall' presents an unexpected urban-wildlife encounter, while Maryline Renault's whimsically titled 'Orangutan Crab the Miniature Underwater Primate' showcases the amusing resemblance between marine and terrestrial life forms.
Additional compelling entries include Luca Lorenz's 'Whiskers,' which likely focuses on fine anatomical details, Laurent Hesemans' thought-provoking 'Price of Living,' and both Pal Hermansen's 'Flight' and Turgay Uzer's 'The Decisive Moment,' which capture split-second actions in the natural world. Fabi Fregonesi's 'Eyes Bigger Than Stomach' presents what appears to be a moment of predatory ambition in nature.
The final selection of the top 100 photographs from the CUPOTY 2025 competition is scheduled to be revealed in January 2026, giving photography enthusiasts and nature lovers something significant to anticipate. This timeline allows for thorough evaluation of all submissions and ensures that the final selection represents the absolute best in close-up nature photography from around the world. The competition continues to serve as an important platform for photographers to showcase their skills in capturing the often-unseen details of the natural world, from the smallest insects to intimate wildlife moments.
