The Close-Up Photographer of the Year competition has announced its shortlist for this year, showcasing a diverse range of wildlife and nature landscapes captured in stunning close-up, micro, and macro perspectives. With a record-breaking 12,557 photographs evaluated by 22 judges over 20 hours on Zoom, the competition has narrowed down its most promising contenders.
The Top 100 photos will be selected from this shortlist in January 2026. To view the entire shortlist and stay updated on the competition, visit the Close-Up Photographer of the Year website and follow them on Instagram. If you can’t get enough of extreme close-ups, you can also explore images from past cycles of the contest.
Among the captivating entries in this year’s shortlist are photos like “Guided by the Whistles” by Guillaume Correa-Pimpao, showcasing a green frog sitting on a leaf. Another striking image is “Xanthocnemis zealandica” by Glenys Steegh, highlighting the intricate details of a unique insect.
“In Mother’s Arms” by Dvir Barkay captures a heartwarming moment between two wet sloths, a mother, and her child. Jason McCombe’s “Lichen Mantis” offers a close-up view of this fascinating insect, while Jan Pokluda’s “The Beauty of Natural Cycles” shows a dead blue insect being devoured by a mass of ants.
Douglas Gimesy’s “Splash” features a Grey-headed Flying-fox making a high-speed belly-dip in a pool of water, while Frensis Kuijer’s “Flowered” depicts a small groundsquirrel next to a dandelion puffball. Minghui Yuan’s “Home on the Leaves” showcases the intricate world of insects living on leaves.
These incredible photos capture the beauty and complexity of the natural world, offering viewers a glimpse into the hidden wonders of wildlife and nature. Stay tuned for the final selection of the Top 100 photos in January 2026, and don’t miss the opportunity to support independent arts publishing by becoming a Colossal Member.
