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The 2026 Close-Up Photographer of the Year shortlist includes photographs of insects, slime molds, plants and animal interactions. The contest received more than 15,300 submissions, a record for the competition, and plans to announce its winners in January.
The 2026 Close-Up Photographer of the Year shortlist features images of bats, spiders, slime molds and other close-range subjects, selected from more than 15,300 submissions—the highest entry total in the contest’s history. The winners are due to be announced in January, according to Colossal’s report on the shortlist.
The shortlisted photographs range across the natural world, from tiny organisms and insects to birds, coastal habitats and plants. The selection includes Joao Pontes’ “Suspended”, Barry Webb’s “Frosted Lamproderma” and Hira Punjabi’s “Bat Bath.” Other named works include Parks Marilla’s “Ants Eating Racer” and Wayne Sayers’ “Fleabane Tortoise Beetle larva.”
The published list also includes David Hunter’s “Sea Eye,” James Rogerson’s “Cloaked Auk,” Lisa Skelton’s “Rockpool Sanctuary” and Adalbert Mojrzisch’s “Beachgrass.” Slime mold appears in titles by Webb and David Myles, whose work is called “Dewy Physarum album.” The report identifies photographers and titles but does not provide image-by-image descriptions or explain how individual entries were judged.
Colossal reports that the competition is open to amateur and professional photographers. Alongside the shortlist, it notes that a separate photography challenge themed “Close to Home” is accepting submissions through the end of November. That challenge is distinct from the shortlisted competition entries.
A Record Field of Macro Images
The record number of entries points to an unusually large field for this year’s contest: more than 15,300 submissions were considered by the judges. That figure is the total reported for the competition, not a measure of how many images made the shortlist; the source does not state the shortlist’s size or the selection rate.
For readers, the announcement offers a preview of the subjects and photographic approaches recognized by the contest before the winners are named. Its range—from slime molds and insects to bats and coastal life—also shows that close-up photography can bring attention to organisms and details that are easy to overlook in everyday surroundings. The shortlist is a selection, however, and should not be read as a complete account of the competition’s entries or judging criteria.
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Shortlist Before January Results
The Close-Up Photographer of the Year competition centers on photography of subjects seen at close range. This year’s shortlist announcement comes ahead of the final results, which Colossal says will be released in January. The source does not specify the exact January announcement date.
Colossal’s report presents a selection of shortlisted works and directs readers to the contest website for further information. It also mentions the open “Close to Home” photography challenge, with submissions accepted through the end of the month. The available information does not identify that challenge’s judging process or say whether it is part of the main contest.
Judging Details Still Pending
The source provides the entry total, a list of selected photographers and image titles, and the expected month for the results. It does not give the number of shortlisted photographs, the category breakdown, the judges’ names, or the criteria used to choose the entries. It also does not report winners, prizes or any judging commentary.
Image titles alone do not establish what each photograph depicts beyond the subjects stated in the titles. Further descriptions, image credits and contest details may be available through the official competition website, but they are not included in the report used here. The announcement also gives no exact date for the January results.
Winners Expected in January
The next stated milestone is the announcement of the 2026 contest winners in January. The source does not provide a specific date, venue or format for that announcement, so those details remain pending. Readers can also submit work to the separate “Close to Home” challenge through the end of November, according to Colossal’s report.
Key Questions
What was announced?
The 2026 Close-Up Photographer of the Year shortlist was published, featuring photographs of natural subjects including insects, bats, birds, plants and slime molds.
How many entries did the contest receive?
Colossal reports more than 15,300 submissions, a record total in the competition’s history. The source does not give the number selected for the shortlist.
When will the winners be announced?
The winners are expected in January. No exact announcement date is provided in the report.
Which shortlisted photographs are named in the report?
Named works include Joao Pontes’ “Suspended,” Hira Punjabi’s “Bat Bath,” Barry Webb’s “Frosted Lamproderma” and David Myles’ “Dewy Physarum album,” among others.
Can photographers still submit to a related challenge?
Yes. The report says the separate “Close to Home” photography challenge is open for submissions through the end of November. It does not provide further rules or eligibility details.
Source: thisiscolossal.com
