Picture of Battling Beetles Wins Close-Up Photographer of the Year

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On the left, two silhouetted stag beetles face each other with horns raised against a blurred, moody background. On the right, a close-up of two overlapping fish heads shows their mouths open, creating a mirrored effect.

The winners of Close-Up Photographer of the Year have been announced with an image of two stag beetles battling for dominance on an oak tree taking home the £2,500 ($3,100) cash prize and title of Close-Up Photographer of the Year 2024.

Completing its sixth running, Close-Up Photographer of the Year, in association with Affinity Photo, also awarded first, second, and third places in 11 different categories. Attracting over 11,000 entries from 61 countries, a jury of 25 photographers, scientists, journalists, and editors spent over 20 hours on Zoom calls to find the winners and Top 100 pictures.

Two stag beetles face each other on a tree branch, silhouetted against a softly lit background. Their large, curved mandibles are prominently displayed, creating a dramatic and natural scene.

Svetlana Ivanenko has been awarded the title Close-up Photographer of the Year for her dramatic picture of two battling male stag beetles in the Voronezh region of Russia.

“For a brief period in summer, stag beetles (Lucanus cervus) engage in fierce battles for mating rights,” Ivanenko says. “These elusive creatures inhabit oak forests, making them difficult to find. I traveled 700 kilometers [435 miles] to witness this beautiful event and I want to share it with everyone.”

Below are the winners of a handful of the categories.