Open
Judging
Results
Brief
This category celebrates macro images – those that highlight the astonishing details otherwise hidden to the naked human eye.
They can be shots of any kind of bug or related subject. And as an image can be entered into multiple Bug Awards categories, macro bug images can be entered into this category as well as their corresponding species category.
Please click on the 'Brief in detail tab' for a full technical definition of macro photography.
'Extreme Close-up' is sponsored by Adaptalux who have great prizes for the category winner and runner-up. Additional prizes for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and shortlisted photographers.
The brief in detail
The classical definition of macro photography is an image where the subject appears as lifesize or larger on a full frame digital chip or 35mm photographic film (ie a minimum 1:1 ‘reproduction ratio’). With the smaller format digital chips in many cameras nowadays, the subject can actually be smaller than lifesize to qualify for this definition. For example with a micro four-thirds chip the subject must only be 50% life-size or larger.
Use this definition as a minimum criteria for entering this category, but there is no limit to how macro you can go. That said, this category is not just a competition to see who can shoot at the greatest reproduction ratio. The judges will still be looking for interesting subjects, good composition, and technical quality, amongst other things.
Prize details
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1st place will win an Adaptalux Studio LED Combo pack. 1 x Pod, 5 x Lighting Arms, and 5 Filters included. You'll have the opportunity to talk with Sam, the owner of Adaptalux, to build your perfect Adaptalux pack. Total value up to £400 (GBP).
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Other prizes for finishing 1st include: £250 (GBP) cash, a 1-year Photocrowd ‘Master’ subscription worth £90 (GBP), a 1-year Buglife membership worth £36 (GBP), the ON1 Professional Plugin Bundle 2021.5 ($149.99 USD), Luminar AI worth $99 (USD).
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2nd place will win an Adaptalux Studio LED Starter pack. 1 x Pod, 2 x Lighting Arms of choice and 2 Filters of choice. You'll have the opportunity to talk with Sam, the owner of Adaptalux, to build your perfect Adaptalux pack. Total value £249.55 (GBP).
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2nd and 3rd place will win a 1-year Photocrowd 'Challenger' subscription worth £30 (GBP).
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Shortlisted images* will be featured in an exclusive online gallery. All shortlisted photographers will receive a one year membership to Buglife (£36 each).
(*) The size of each shortlist will be determined by the quality and number of entries in each category.
How it works
This contest is expert judged only with no rating by the crowd. You will be able to find out how you did when the judging or rating period has closed.
- Entries closed
- 5 September 2021
- Judging
- 5 September 2021 to 11 November 2021
- Expert judge shortlist announced
- 11 November 2021
- Expert judge winners announced
- 25 November 2021