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This photo of a stingless bee (possibly quadrangular sp.) The nest in Mezatur, in the Indian state of Kerala, has emerged as the winner with an impressive macro photo in the seventh edition of the Close-up Photographer Competition. |Image source: Rithved Girish/CUPOTY
Young photographer Rithved Girish has just won the highest honor in the youth category in the seventh edition of the Close-up Photographer Competition.
At just 14 years old, the rising star from the United Arab Emirates beat stiff competition in the world’s largest macro and close-up photography competition, but this isn’t his first win. Previously, Risweid was the runner-up for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Award, known as the “Oscars of Wildlife.”
Rithved’s camera of choice is not a modern mirrorless model, but a professional-grade DSLR introduced nearly a decade ago, paired with third-party lenses designed to reveal the finest details of the tiniest subjects – a perfect combination of gear to showcase his incredible photography skills.
“Hive Keeper”
technical details
Exposure: 1/160 sec, f/11, ISO 400
Equipment: Nikon D850 + Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art
Accessories: Rollei flash 58F, radiation diffuser
Rithved explains: “During my summer vacation in the Indian state of Kerala, I encountered a brood of stingless bees, most likely from the family Tetraceridae. I am fascinated by the tiny wonders of nature and every time I visit India I make it a point to explore and learn more about the natural world.
“These small but remarkable bees carefully build their homes out of wax, resin and mud, creating a unique tube-like entrance to protect their colony. Guard bees at the entrance remain vigilant, keeping their hive safe from potential threats.
“No baits or attractants were used in capturing this moment, allowing their natural behavior to remain undisturbed. This photo is a reminder of the important role these tiny creatures play in maintaining ecological balance.”
CUPOTY CONTEST
The Close-up Photographer of the Year competition invites photographers from every level and corner of the world to showcase their best close-up work captured with any camera, camera phone or even microscope.
Because in the world of macro and micro photography, the tiniest subjects tell the biggest stories.
CUPOTY is about to launch its 8th edition and will accept new submissions from May 8, 2026. For more information and to discover more award-winning images, visit the CUPOTY website.
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