Vertical Life, Winner, One Color Frame Challenge
Russian Arena Shevtsova, close-up photographer of the year
Winners and finalists of these close-up cameraman of the year contests are reminded that you can find something beautiful simply by slowing down and looking closely at the little, ordinary offers of nature.
In addition to the main annual conference, the Cupoty Organization hosts theme competitions designed to provide photographers with regular opportunities to showcase close-ups, macros and micro-images.
Supported by Affinity Photography released in 2018, the Close-up Photographer of the Year Competition reveals the hidden wonders of the world through close-ups, macros and micro photography. It is open to everyone and runs from May to July.
The photo above by photographer Alena Shevtsova is the winner of the One Color Frame Challenge, entitled “Life in the Verticals,” titled Grasshoppers about to disguise themselves as grass blades.
Linda Lepasky of the United States is the winner of some beautiful challenge with her image “abstract puddles” (below), photographed on an iPhone and finding beauty in a normal puddle.
By looking closely at the pavement, she revealed the textures, colors and details that many of us simply pass by.
“You don't need exotic places or specialist equipment to capture beautiful things,” said Tracy Calder, Co-Founder of Cupoty.
Close-up photographer: Something beautiful challenge
Puddle reflection, winner, something beautiful challenge
Linda Le Pasky, USA, Close-up Photographer of the Year
“In late autumn, the scenery closes and goes to sleep after the leaves fall off the tree,” explains Linda Lepaski. “But in this small puddle, the reflections of bare trees are brought to life in soft colours in the scattering of acorns and pebbles.
Hub, 2nd place, something beautiful challenge
Michael Friel of Ireland, Photographer of the Year
“These little spiders will be appearing briefly in the fall,” says Michael Friel. “When predictions promise a sunny day, I visit a decorative tree nursery in Jinju, Korea, looking for a horizontal net strung on the top branches. As the sun rises, the refraction of the rainbow appears along the net. The spider proudly does not move.”
Slime shape and reflection, 3rd place, something beautiful challenge
Kamilla Szava-Oberndorfer from Austria, close-up photographer of the year
“On a walk in the forest near Vienna, Austria,” recalls Camila Szava Obo Ovondorfer:
Tulip Gift in Ice, Finalist, Something Beautiful
Kathleen Clemons, USA, Close-up Photographer of the Year
“My friend was amazed me with a bouquet of tulips,” says Kathleen Clemons. “As the flowers age and the petals are spreading, I decided to freeze some of them. During this process I lost color. I put the tulips in a shallow baking pan with a small amount of water and fixed them, adding water when that base layer was frozen, leaving some water on the tap lines.
Flood, Finalists, something beautiful challenge
Noel Bennett of New Zealand, close-up photographer of the year
Noel Bennett Love loves the shape of Achillere's flower. “In this case, I took the flowers in full bloom and soaked them in a container of cold water. I placed the container and flowers inside a foldable light studio, and dripped the evaporated milk into the container above the flowers.
Miracle, Finalist, some beautiful challenge
Jan Laurett, France. – Close-up Photographer of the Year
“In the skin that floated on Lerow, a small river in southern France near Montpellier, I patiently waited for Kingfisher to land in front of my lens,” Jan Laurett said. “Sadly, it didn't happen. To spend some time, I started photographing ripples underwater. Suddenly, a typical pond skater joined us in the dance.
Running squid, finalists, some beautiful challenge
Italy's Alessandro Grasso, Photographer of the Year
“I was diving at night in the Red Sea in Marsa Aram, Egypt, when I suddenly noticed a squid right in front of me,” Alessandro Grasso said. “When I got closer, it gave me the opportunity to hurry and take two shots.”
Green Mesh Weaver finalist, something beautiful challenge
Ryan Dale, UK, Close-up Photographer of the Year
Ryan Dale saw some green mesh weber spiders on the ivy leaves while gardening, and felt forced to grab the camera.
Close-up photographer: Water Challenge
Ice skater, 3rd place, Water challenge
Sebastien Blomme, France, Close-up Photographer of the Year
“For a long time I wanted to catch the elegant ballet of Damselmery flying over Garonne (a river with winds near my house),” said Sebastian Brom. “It's fascinating to observe hundreds of these creatures circling and skillfully catching insects that suck them in the middle of each summer. One day, I wanted to settle in the water where my self-sufficiency was back and waiting, and capture the moment when my wings were glorious.”
Milking bonnet, finalist, water challenge
UK Tony North, Photographer of the Year
Tony North was pleased to “illuminate the near-perfect shaped clumps of mushrooms from behind at Marbury Country Park, England, filling the hood with light and illuminating the drops created with fine mist spray.”
Long dew, finalist, water challenge
Pete Burford, UK, Close-up Photographer of the Year
Another Damselfly becomes immortal when Pete Burford snaps in the Mousecroft pool in Shrewsbury. “I photographed this dewy damborg in the early hours of around 3am in May. The insects are cold-blooded and usually rest at night, considering the warmth they need to move. The temperature suddenly drops.
Periscope, Finalist, Water Challenge
Italian Marco Maggigi, close-up photographer of the year
Marco Maggi hunted to pray in the pond and spotted this “beautiful” snake while snapping in soft light on a cloudy day.
One color frame closeup photographer
Nigella flowers in the evening light, 2nd place, 1 color frame challenge
UK Molly Holman, Photographer of the Year
“I was filming flowers in the garden during the summer, and when I was filming this particular love with misty Nigella flowers, my son was walking past the background wearing a blue T-shirt,” explained Molly Holman. “The evening light was very soft and the flowers seemed almost shining.”
Hello World! , Finalist, One Color Frame Challenge
Netherlands Alex Pansy, close-up photographer of the year
“Autumn is my favorite season in the Netherlands,” said Alex Pansy. “The rich and warm tones of this leaf made me fascinate, and through the gaps, this happy red ant made me smile. The image was taken in a dark forest.”
Discretion, Finalist, One Color Frame Challenge
France's Liddy Breda, close-up photographer of the year
Liddy Breda found this dragonfly on the grass blade on the lakeside.
Intimate Touch, Finalist, One Color Frame Challenge
Anne Newman, USA, Close-up Photographer of the Year
“When I pulled organic hen eggs from the carton and realized how distinctive each one was in a unique tan tone, I began sorting them to find a complementary pair,” Anne Newman said. “To support the wobble model, I cut the bottom out of two cups of cartons and found decorative paper in a similar shade for the background. When I showed this image to my 91-year-old mother, the 'nude' look raised her eyebrows. ”
Dance Me, Finalist, One Color Frame Challenge
Ryan Ostrea, Australia's close-up photographer of the year
“I was working in my backyard one afternoon when I realized that these wild flowers were grown nearby,” said Ryan Ostrea. “It reminded me of someone dancing with their arms open and that caught my attention.”
Winter Wonderland, Finalist, One Color Frame Challenge
Netherlands Bianca Bronk, close-up photographer of the year
“This photo was taken in the mountains of Scotland on a very cold snowy day,” said Bianca Bronk. “During the winter, Mountain Noe has a white coat and is less active than in the summer, so they reserve energy.
Here you can find all the Cupoty Challenge “Beautiful” winners and finalists.
The Close-up Cameraman of the Year Main Competition opens in May for entry and closes in July.
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