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This shot of a stingless bee (probably Tetragonula sp.) nest in Mezhathur, Kerala, India, stood out against striking macro images in the Close Up Photographer of the Year competition 7. | Credit: Rithved Girish / CUPOTY
Young photographer Rithved Girish has just won the top honor in the Youth category in the Close-Up Photographer of the Year 7 competition.
The rising UAE-based talent is just 14 years old, and stood out against strong competition in the world’s biggest macro and close-up photography contest – but it wasn’t his first win. Previously, Rithved achieved the position of Runner-Up in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards, also known as the “Oscars of the Wild”.
Rithved’s camera of choice is not a modern mirrorless model but a professional-level DSLR launched nearly ten years ago, along with a third-party lens, built to reveal the finest details of the smallest subjects – a combination of great equipment to showcase his incredible photography skills.
‘Beehive Keepers’
Technological details
Exposure: 1/160 sec, f/11, ISO 400
Gear: Nikon D850 + Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art
Accessories: Rollei Flash 58F, Radiant Diffuser
Rithved explains, “During my summer vacation in Kerala, India, I came across a nest of stingless bees, probably from the Tetragonula family. Fascinated by the little wonders of nature, I make it a point to explore and learn more about the natural world whenever I visit India.
“These small but remarkable bees had carefully built their home using wax, resin and mud, creating a unique tube-shaped entrance to safeguard their colony. The guard bees at the entrance remained vigilant, ensuring the safety of their hive from potential threats.
“No bait or lures were used while capturing this moment, thus their natural behavior remains undisturbed. This image serves as a reminder of the vital role these tiny creatures play in maintaining the ecological balance.”
The CUPOTY competition
The Close Up Photographer of the Year competition invites photographers from all levels and corners of the world to show their best close-up work, captured with any camera, camera phone, or even a microscope.
Because in the world of macro and micro photography, the smallest subjects tell the biggest stories.
CUPOTY will soon launch its 8th edition, with new submissions accepted from 8 May 2026. For more information and to discover more winning images, visit the CUPOTY website.
You can love…
If you are into macro photography, check out our guide to the best camera for macro photography and the best macro lenses. We also have supporting tutorials like how to use natural light effects to introduce drama to your macro photography scenes, or 4 macro hacks for your camera, lens and phone.
Looking for competitions to enter? Here are 10 global photo contests now open for entries from February to May.