“Image of Reflective Pool Takes Top Prize in Close-Up Photographer of the Year’s ‘Something Beautiful’ Contest”

Title: Discovering Beauty in the Everyday: Winners of the CUPOTY “Something Beautiful” Contest

In a realm increasingly enchanted by magnificence and spectacle, the Close-Up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) Challenge encourages photographers to pause and rediscover the awe present in the commonplace. This year’s themed contest, named “Something Beautiful,” urged participants to unveil and encapsulate the subtle enchantment of the ordinary — and the results were remarkable.

At the center of this year’s contest is photographer Linda Repasky, whose lyrical image “Puddle Reflection” was crowned Overall Winner. Captured with an iPhone 16 Pro Max, her photo reveals a tender scene: a bare tree mirrored in a small puddle, surrounded by acorns and scattered stones. The soft colors and gentle textures embody the essence of the theme beautifully.

“Linda’s picture of an autumn puddle taken with an iPhone demonstrates that stunning beauty doesn’t require exotic destinations or specialized gear,” noted CUPOTY co-founder Tracy Calder. “By examining the pavement closely, she has uncovered textures, colors, and details that many of us might overlook. It serves as a reminder to slow down and cherish the beauty in the everyday.”

Repasky’s achievement earned her a cash prize and a spotlight in Amateur Photographer magazine. Yet, she is not alone in discovering wonder where others may overlook it. Ten additional finalists were acknowledged for their masterful interpretations of the theme, each exposing intricate details of nature through their lenses.

Here’s a closer examination of some of this year’s standout entries:

🏆 1st Place: “Puddle Reflection” by Linda Repasky
A tranquil image of a puddle reflecting a leafless autumn tree. An inspiring reminder of how even the smallest scenes can embody surreal beauty.

🥈 2nd Place: “At the Hub” by Michael Friel
A tiny spider and its rainbow-hued web captured in the soft morning light at a tree nursery in Jinju, South Korea. The image radiates with iridescent colors, illustrating the fleeting nature of spider silk.

🥉 3rd Place: “Slime Moulds and Reflections” by Kamilla Szava-Oberndorfer
This extraordinary macro shot of slime molds, measuring only 1–2mm, dazzles with delicate water droplets reflecting their forest surroundings. Achieved using 26 focus-stacked images, the photo showcases technical proficiency and creative vision.

Other enchanting submissions include:

– “Tulip Gift in Ice” by Kathleen Clemons
Frozen tulips arranged layer by layer in ice reveal delicate flora and textures, striking a balance between fragility and preservation.

– “Deluge” by Noelle Bennett
A submerged Achillea flower interacts with swirling evaporated milk, crafting a cloudlike scene of ethereal beauty and understated tension.

– “Puffin Profile” by Alex Pansier
An Atlantic puffin softly illuminated in a low-light profile shot. The graceful rim lighting accentuates the bird’s distinctive beak and outline.

– “Green Meshweaver” by Ryan Dale
A tiny spider peeks out from its leafy hideaway, drawing attention to the minute marvels concealed in our gardens.

– “Miracle” by Yann Raulet
Captured from a floating hide in a French river, a pond skater glides across abstract, rippling reflections. While waiting for a kingfisher, Raulet discovered magic in unexpected places.

– “Squid on the Run” by Alessandro Grasso
An impromptu underwater encounter with a darting squid recorded during a night dive in Egypt. Evidence that beauty can manifest in an instant.

– “In the Shelter of the Mushroom” by Tibor Litauszki
A 3.5mm globular springtail finds refuge atop a mushroom, illuminated by breath vapor. A transient scene rendered timeless through photography.

– “Wild Welsh Pony” by Richard Sambrook
An artistically cropped image of an inquisitive wild pony in the Preseli Hills of Wales. Originally unremarkable, post-capture editing unveiled its artistic potential.

Collectively, these works highlight the CUPOTY mission: revealing extraordinary artistry in the unnoticed aspects of our world. Unlike traditional nature or wildlife photography contests, CUPOTY emphasizes magnifying and exploring minute subjects — where focus, texture, and patient observation converge.

The “Something Beautiful” edition of the CUPOTY Challenge runs concurrently with the main CUPOTY contest, which opens annually in May. By celebrating intricate details and overlooked beauty, CUPOTY continues to foster a global community of photographers who remind us to look closer — and in doing so, discover more.

For a complete gallery of winners and finalists, visit the official Close-Up Photographer of the Year website or follow them on Instagram and Facebook.

📷 CUPOTY: Website | Instagram | Facebook
📰 Featured in: Amateur Photographer Magazine
🌐 Learn more: www.cupoty.com