The Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) competition holds a unique challenge each year for photographers. The theme for this year's competition was 'Water', and photographers from around the world submitted a collection of inspiring photographs for it
Hungarian photographer Tibor Litauszki was the overall winner with his mesmerizing photograph of an alpine newt devouring frog eggs. The CUPOTY has also unveiled an exceptional lineup of finalists, including a snapshot of a snake emerging from a murky pond, a delightful depiction of bonnet mushrooms in the rain, and a springtail adorned with dew droplets. These award-winning close-ups provide a rare insight into the beauty of the aquatic environment. Check them out below!
Related: In Pictures: Close-Up Photographer of the Year 2023
1. “Between the Stars” by Tibor Litauszki (Hungary). Overall Winner.
An alpine newt feasts on frog eggs at dusk.
2. “Poppies Tiarella in Ice” by Ian Gilmour (UK). 2nd Place.
The photographer submerged these wild poppies with tiarella flowers in water and froze them overnight.
3. “The Ice Skater” by Sebastien Blomme (France). 3rd Place.
The graceful ballet of a dragonfly flying over the Garonne River in Europe.
4. “Periscope” by Marco Maggesi (Italy). Finalist.
This beautiful snake was looking for prey in a pond.
5. “Milking Bonnets” by Tony North (UK). Finalist.
A clump of mushrooms with an almost perfect shape and number in Marbury Country Park, UK.
6. “Long Over Dew” by Pete Burford (UK). Finalist.
A damselfly covered in dew during the early morning hours at Mousecroft pool, Shrewsbury.
7. “Sparkling Crown” by Claudia Gaupp (Germany). Finalist.
Love-in-the-Mist (Nigella damascena).
8. “Moss Springtail” by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas (Greece / Canada). Finalist.
A springtail (Neanura muscorum) covered in dew droplets.
9. “Last Flight” by Harald Cederlund (Sweden). Finalist.
Moths in the mountain birch forest of Grövelsjön, Sweden.
10. “You See Better With Four Eyes” by Gabi Swart (Germany). Finalist.
"This picture was taken in a pond near Ladenburg, Germany. It was shot from a low angle so that the reflection of the frog’s eyes are just visible. I then decided to turn it upside down to confuse the viewer and encourage him/her to look more closely.”
