{"id":118258,"date":"2025-11-06T08:25:30","date_gmt":"2025-11-06T08:25:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/118258\/"},"modified":"2025-11-06T08:25:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-06T08:25:30","slug":"incredible-finalists-of-the-2025-close-up-photographer-of-the-year-contest","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/118258\/","title":{"rendered":"Incredible Finalists of the 2025 Close Up Photographer of the Year Contest"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783350\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783350\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Invertebrate-Portrait-Andrei-Chetronie-Leafcutter-Bee-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Leafcutter bee \" width=\"1300\" height=\"975\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783350\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cLeafcutter Bee\u201d by Andrei Chetronie. Finalist, Invertebrate Portrait.<\/p>\n<p>Over 12,500 photographs were entered into the 2025 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cupoty.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Close Up Photographer of the Year<\/a> (CUPOTY) competition, which encourages photographers to take a closer look at the world. After 20 hours of discussion, the photo contest\u2019s 22 judges decided on a spectacular shortlist across 11 categories. From fascinating portraits of insects to new ways to explore the landscape, these images give a unique perspective of our world.<\/p>\n<p>Standout images include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/claybolt\/?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Clay Bolt<\/a>\u2019s detailed portrait of an orchid bee, an interesting species that eschews typical hive mentality for solitude, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/rafisteinles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Rafael Steinlesberger<\/a>\u2019s fascinating photo of a brave insect taking a ride on a jumping pit viper. Steinlesberger, who has amassed a large online following, came upon the scene in Costa Rica while out with some fellow photographers on an evening photo walk. But CUPOTY is not all flashy insects. The Intimate Landscape and Fungi categories prove that even nature\u2019s quieter scenes are award-worthy.<\/p>\n<p>The finalists will now compete for the \u00a32,500 (about $3,254) grand prize, as well as camera gear and post-production software by sponsors Sigma UK, Cygnustech Diffusers, and Affinity Photo. Scroll down to see some of our favorite finalists across all categories and then head over to the official website to see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cupoty.com\/-animals-shortlist-7\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">full shortlist<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n<p>The 2025 Close Up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) competition has announced its shortlist.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783338\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Insects-Clay-Bolt-Orchid-Bee-Colombia-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Orchid bee\" width=\"1300\" height=\"910\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783338\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cOrchid Bee Colombia\u201d by Clay Bolt. Finalist, Insects.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783317\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783317\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Animals-Rafael-Steinlesberger-Precarious-Perch-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Bug perched on a snake\" width=\"1300\" height=\"975\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783317\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cPrecarious Perch\u201d by Rafael Steinlesberger. Finalist, Animals<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783329\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783329\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Butterflies-Pal-Hermansen-Flight-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Butterfly in flight\" width=\"1300\" height=\"975\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783329\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cFlight\u201d by Pal Hermansen. Finalist, Butterlies &amp; Dragonflies.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783320\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783320\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Arachnids-Laurent-Hesemans-In-Bloom-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Spider camoflauged in the color of a flower\" width=\"1300\" height=\"863\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783320\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cIn Bloom\u201d by Laurent Hesemans. Finalist, Arachnids<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783323\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783323\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Arachnids-Nataliia-Shinkevich-Sunrise-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Spider hanging off a web\" width=\"1300\" height=\"867\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783323\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cSunrise\u201d by Nataliia Shinkevich. Finalist, Arachnids<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783359\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783359\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Plants-Donald-Bolak-Rose-Thorns-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Close up photo of a rose thorn\" width=\"1300\" height=\"867\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783359\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cRose Thorns\u201d by Donald Bolak. Plants, Finalist.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783365\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783365\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Underwater-Suliman-Alatqi-Pygmy-Seahorse-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Pygmy seahorse\" width=\"1300\" height=\"1625\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783365\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cPygmy Seahorse\u201d by Suliman Alatqui. Finalist, Underwater<\/p>\n<p>The finalists were selected from over 12,500 photographs submitted by professional and amateur photographers.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783353\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783353\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Invertebrate-Portrait-Jamie-Thorpe-Longhorns-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Longhorn portrait\" width=\"1300\" height=\"1625\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783353\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cLonghorns\u201d by Jamie Thorpe. Finalist, Invertebrate Portrait.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783344\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783344\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Intimate-Landscape-Csaba-Daroczi-After-the-Rain-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Rain on bark\" width=\"1300\" height=\"975\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783344\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cAfter the Rain\u201d by Csaba Daroczi. Finalist, Intimate Landscape.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783341\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783341\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Insects-Mark-Pal-Sharp-Bend-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up Photographer of the Year 7 (2025)\" width=\"1300\" height=\"867\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783341\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cSharp Bend\u201d by M\u00e1rk P\u00e1l. Finalist, Insects.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783356\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783356\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Plants-Bart-Heirweg-Marsh-Helleborine-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Marsh helleborine\" width=\"1300\" height=\"867\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783356\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cMarsh Helleborine\u201d by Bart Heirweg. Finalist, Plants.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783362\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783362\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Underwater-Mary-Gudgeon-Porcelain-Crab-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Porcelain Crab\" width=\"1300\" height=\"1682\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783362\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cPorcelain Crab\u201d by Mary Gudgeon. Finalist, Underwtaer.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783314\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783314\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Animals-Douglas-Gimesy-Splash-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Grey-headed Flying-fox (Pteropus poliocephalus) makes a high-speed belly-dip in a pool of water\" width=\"1300\" height=\"836\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783314\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cSplash\u201d by Doulgas Gimesy. Finalist, Animals.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783332\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783332\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Fungi-Slime-Moulds-Jose-Luis-Gigirey-Autumn-Canvas-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Slime mould\" width=\"1300\" height=\"867\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783332\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cAutumn Canvas\u201d by Jose Luis Gigirey. Finalist, Fungi.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783326\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783326\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Butterflies-Dragonflies-Ammar-Alsayed-Ahmed-A-Caterpillar_s-Silent-Struggle-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up Photographer of the Year 7 (2025)\" width=\"1300\" height=\"867\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783326\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cA Caterpillar&#8217;s Silent Struggle\u201d by Ammar Alsayed. Finalist, Butterflies &amp; Dragonflies.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783335\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783335\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Fungi-Slime-moulds-Rafael-Steinlesberger-Weevil_s-End-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up Photographer of the Year 7 (2025)\" width=\"1300\" height=\"1625\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783335\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cWeevil&#8217;s End\u201d by Rafael Steinlesberger. Finalist, Fungi.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-783347\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-783347\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Intimate-Landscape-Hitomi-Seki-Crystalline-Purity-CUPOTY-7.jpg\" alt=\"Ice on a lake\" width=\"1300\" height=\"867\"  \/><\/p>\n<p id=\"caption-attachment-783347\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">\u201cCrystalline Purity\u201d by Hitomi Seki. Finalist, Intimate Landscape.<\/p>\n<p>CUPOTY:\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cupoty.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Website<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/CUPOTYawards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Facebook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/cupoty\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Instagram<\/a><br \/>\nMy Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by CUPOTY.<br \/>\nRelated Articles:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/cupoty-challenge-something-beautiful\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Reflective Puddle Wins Close-up Photographer of the Year\u2019s \u2018Something Beautiful\u2019 Contest<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/2025-european-wildlife-photographer-year\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">A Bird in Mourning Wins the 2025 European Wildlife Photographer of the Year Contest<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/2025-standard-chartered-weather-photographer-year\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">A Rare Circular Rainbow Wins the 2025 Weather Photographer of the Year Contest<\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/mymodernmet.com\/2025-drone-photo-awards\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Winners of the 2025 Drone Photo Awards Explore the Beauty of the World Above<\/a><br \/>\n                    <script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u201cLeafcutter Bee\u201d by Andrei Chetronie. Finalist, Invertebrate Portrait. Over 12,500 photographs were entered into the 2025 Close Up&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":118259,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[437,434,435,436,71574,438,146,85,46,9582,2081],"class_list":{"0":"post-118258","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-arts-and-design","8":"tag-arts","9":"tag-arts-and-design","10":"tag-artsanddesign","11":"tag-artsdesign","12":"tag-cupoty","13":"tag-design","14":"tag-entertainment","15":"tag-il","16":"tag-israel","17":"tag-photo-contest","18":"tag-photography"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118258","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118258"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118258\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/118259"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118258"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118258"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}