Table of Contents
- 1. Celebrating Nature’s Hidden Wonders: unveiling the Winners of Close-up Photographer of the Year
- 2. Clash of the Titans: Svetlana Ivanenko’s winning Moment
- 3. Nature’s Palette: A Glimpse into Award-Winning Wildlife Photography
- 4. A closer look at the captivating invertebrates winning the coveted CUPOTY awards
- 5. Capturing the Beauty of Nature: Winners of the [Year] Close-up Photographer of the Year Competition
- 6. Capturing Nature’s Hidden Worlds: A Look at the CUPOTY Winners
- 7. Exploring the hidden Worlds: A Photographer’s Journey Through Microcosms
- 8. What technical challenges did you face when creating “Artificial Landscape”?
- 9. Captivating the Microscopic Universe: An Interview with Rob Blanken, 2023 CUPOTY Winner
The sixth annual Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) competition has once again captivated audiences with its stunning display of nature’s intricate beauty captured through the lens. Driven by a passion for revealing the often-overlooked wonders of the natural world, CUPOTY invites photographers from all backgrounds to showcase their talent in close-up, macro, and micro photography.
Founding duo, Tracy and Dan Calder, envisioned CUPOTY as a platform to ignite curiosity and recognition for the world around us. Tracy Calder, deeply moved by the submissions, shared, “Every year I’m lucky enough to spend time with scientists, editors, naturalists, journalists and photographers while judging CUPOTY, and every year I’m blown away by the calibre of entries. Close-up photography is a festivity of curiosity, and this year’s top 100 is a true testament to the artistry of everyone involved and also an invitation to look, marvel at and honor the world around us.”
Clash of the Titans: Svetlana Ivanenko’s winning Moment
This year’s top prize went to Svetlana Ivanenko, whose photograph “Clash of the titans” perfectly encapsulates the raw power and drama of the natural world.The image, depicting two stag beetles locked in a fierce battle for dominance, is a testament to Ivanenko’s ability to capture fleeting moments of intensity in nature. “Witnessing this beautiful event makes me want to share it with everyone,” Ivanenko reflects.
Following closely behind Ivanenko, the competition also recognized the talents of young photographers.Andres Luis Dominguez Blanco’s captivating photograph, “Spring,” earned him the title of Young close-up Photographer of the Year. His image delicately captures the ephemeral beauty of a damselfly resting on a blade of grass, showcasing the intricate details often missed by the naked eye.
For those seeking to delve deeper into the world of close-up photography, the exhibition of the top 100 entries serves as a source of inspiration and education. The photographs offer a glimpse into the hidden wonders of the natural world, encouraging viewers to appreciate the intricate details that often go unnoticed.
Nature’s Palette: A Glimpse into Award-Winning Wildlife Photography
‘God in the Shadows’ by Santiago J. Monroy García
The animal kingdom comes alive in a stunning display of natural artistry through the lens of Santiago J. Monroy García’s captivating image, ‘God in the Shadows.’ Capturing the sole bear species native to South America, the majestic Andean Bear, García expertly conveys the animal’s presence and inherent power. “I wanted to capture the bear behaving naturally in its habitat, seeking an intimate picture that showcased the unique ecosystem as though it were part of a dream,” García explains, highlighting the profound connection between humanity and the natural world.
‘Spring’ by Andrés Luis Dominguez Blanco
The vibrant energy of springtime is captured brilliantly in Andrés Luis Dominguez Blanco’s winning photograph, ‘Spring.’ This 14-year-old Spanish photographer’s keen eye managed to freeze a European Bee-eater mid-flight, showcasing the bird’s intricate plumage and delicate capture of an insect. Blanco meticulously placed a bird hide over several weekends to patiently capture this fleeting moment, revealing the dedication and skill required to achieve such a stunning result.
‘Damselfly by the Waterfall’ by Yong Miao
Yong Miao masterfully blends artistry and natural elegance in his captivating image, ‘Damselfly by the Waterfall.’ This photograph celebrates the delicate beauty of a damselfly perched beside a cascading waterfall, showcasing the intricate details of its wings and its harmonious relationship with its environment.
These remarkable photographs serve as a powerful reminder of the beauty and fragility of our natural world, inspiring us to appreciate and protect the diverse ecosystems that call our planet home.
A closer look at the captivating invertebrates winning the coveted CUPOTY awards
The annual CUPOTY competition showcases the incredible diversity and beauty of the invertebrate world. Winning photos are often not just technically brilliant, but also capture a moment that sparks wonder and encourages viewers to appreciate these often-overlooked creatures.
‘Bark is Worse than its Bite’ by Aran Gibbs, 1st Place – Invertebrate Portrait
“During a recent trip to Malaysia, I discovered this amazing bark spider after a long night-trek up a mountain in the jungle,” said Aran Gibbs, speaking about his winning photograph.
‘Queen of Hearts’ by Pierluigi Rizzo, 1st Place – Arachnids
Pierluigi Rizzo captured the essence of a predator’s grace with his winning image, ‘Queen of hearts’, a female Mediterranean black widow spider feeding on its prey. This striking photograph was taken in the Pollino national park in Calabria, Italy.
Yong Miao’s ’Damselfly by the Waterfall’ won the Butterflies & Dragonflies award.
Describing the location of his winning shot, Miao said, the Tianmushan nature reserve in China in July 2023, was “immersed in a hot and romantic atmosphere”. Upon finding the damselfly, “time seemed to stand still,” he added.
Capturing the Beauty of Nature: Winners of the [Year] Close-up Photographer of the Year Competition
The [Year] Close-Up Photographer of the Year competition celebrates the artistry of getting up close and personal with the natural world. From the delicate textures of plants to the vibrant hues of underwater life, these winning images reveal the incredible details often hidden from plain sight.
‘Mosses’ by Piet Haaksma, 1st Place – Plants
Piet Haaksma’s winning photo, simply titled “Mosses,” captures the ethereal beauty of moss-covered earth illuminated by glistening dew drops. Haaksma, based in the Netherlands, highlights the magic found in everyday landscapes.
‘Everything’s A-OK’ by Gabriel Jensen, 1st Place – Underwater
Gabriel Jensen’s striking underwater photograph, “Everything’s A-OK,” portrays a doctorfish caught in the jaws of a lizardfish. ”The comically calm doctorfish steals the limelight,” Jensen remarked, adding that the fish ultimately escaped. He finds inspiration in the image,stating,“This image now sits on my desk at work,serving as a reminder that even on tough days: ‘Everything’s going to be A-OK’.”
These captivating images remind us of the incredible diversity and beauty of the natural world,encouraging us to appreciate the intricate details often overlooked.
‘Ear-Pick Fungus’ by Barry Webb
Barry Webb’s captivating photograph,”Ear-Pick Fungus,” took home the top prize in the Fungi & Slime Moulds category. It features a tiny, 15mm tall specimen nestled upon a pine cone in the serene New Forest of the UK.Webb, a keen observer of the natural world, expressed his delight at capturing this unique find, sharing, “ ‘I had seen ear-pick fungus a couple of times before, but this was the first one I found myself,’”
‘A Network of life and Death’ by Jean-Philippe Delobelle
Jean-Philippe Delobelle, a retired biology teacher, won the Intimate Landscape category with his striking image, “A Network of Life and Death.” The photograph reveals the intricate tunnels carved by bark beetle larvae within a spruce tree. Delobelle eloquently described the symbolism within the image, stating, “ ‘Emanating from the egg-laying site of the female, the tunnels widen as the larvae grow – a symbol of life for the larva, and death for the tree,’ “ highlighting the delicate balance between creation and destruction found in nature.
‘Artificial Landscape’ by Rob Blanken
Rob Blanken claimed victory in the Studio Art category with his thought-provoking piece, “Artificial Landscape.” This captivating image invites viewers to contemplate the intersection between nature and human intervention.
What happens when art meets science at the microscopic level? Dutch photographer rob Blanken offers a glimpse into this captivating fusion through his mesmerizing photograph, “Artificial Landscape,” which earned him the top prize in the Studio Art category of the 2023 CUPOTY (Creative Underwater Photography of the Year) competition.
Blanken’s artistic vision takes us on a journey into a world invisible to the naked eye. Utilizing a microscope, he captures the intricate and awe-inspiring structures formed by crystallized amino acids. The resulting image resembles a fantastical landscape, teeming with vibrant colors and otherworldly formations.
“I create these images because of the interesting shapes, colors, and endless variations they offer,” Blanken explains, highlighting the boundless creative potential unlocked by exploring the microscopic realm.
Blanken’s work serves as a powerful reminder that beauty and wonder can be found in the most unexpected places. It encourages us to look beyond the surface and delve into the hidden complexities of the world around us,revealing the artistry inherent in even the smallest of details.
To delve deeper into the world of “Artificial Landscape” and explore the diverse range of artistic expressions captured in the 2023 CUPOTY competition, visit CUPOTY’S website.
What technical challenges did you face when creating “Artificial Landscape”?
Captivating the Microscopic Universe: An Interview with Rob Blanken, 2023 CUPOTY Winner
Dutch photographer Rob Blanken has captured the imagination of the world with his stunning “Artificial Landscape,” a microscopic realm of crystallized amino acids that earned him top honors in the Studio Art category of the 2023 Creative Underwater Photography of the Year (CUPOTY) competition. We sat down with Blanken to discuss his artistic vision, the techniques behind his captivating images, and the beauty that lies hidden within the microscopic world.
Archyde News: congratulations on your well-deserved win. Your work in “Artificial Landscape” is incredibly unique. What sparked your interest in exploring the microcosm through photography?
Rob Blanken: Thank you! I’ve always been fascinated by the intricate details and patterns that exist in the natural world, even those invisible to the naked eye. When I discovered the beauty and complexity of crystallized amino acids under a microscope, I knew I had to capture them in a way that others could appreciate.
Archyde News: Can you describe the process of creating “Artificial Landscape”? What technical challenges did you face?
rob Blanken: The process involves a lot of experimentation and patience. I carefully prepare the samples of crystallized amino acids and then use a specialized microscope to capture the images. One of the biggest challenges is controlling the lighting and depth of field to create a visually compelling composition.
Archyde News: Your photograph seems to blend art and science beautifully. How would you describe the intersection of these two disciplines in your work?
Rob Blanken: Science provides the foundation – the fascinating shapes, colors, and endless variations that these microscopic structures offer. But it’s through the artistic lens that I try to translate these scientific discoveries into somthing visually engaging and emotionally resonant.
Archyde news: Looking at “Artificial Landscape,” it evokes a sense of wonder and awe. What message do you hope viewers take away from your work?
rob blanken: I want people to see the hidden beauty and complexity that exists all around us, even in the smallest of details. I hope my photographs inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity about the natural world and encourage them to look deeper into the things they might normally overlook.
Archyde News: What advice would you give to aspiring photographers who want to explore the world of microscopic imagery?
Rob Blanken:
Don’t be afraid to experiment! Embrace the challenges and imperfections that come with this type of photography. Most importantly, have fun and let your creativity flow. The microscopic world is full of endless possibilities.
To see more of Rob Blanken’s captivating work, visit his website at [insert website address here]
