There’s something absolutely wild about macro photography. One second you’re looking at a tiny insect wing, a drop of water, or the eye of a crustacean, and the next you feel like you’ve stepped into an alien universe. That’s exactly the vibe delivered by the winning images from the 35 Awards 2026 Macro Photography category. Photographers from across the globe brought their A-game, transforming microscopic details into jaw-dropping visual stories packed with texture, color, and emotion.
Founded in 2015, 35AWARDS has grown into one of the world’s most respected photography platforms, connecting artists from more than 157 countries. Through years of refining its judging system, rankings, and voting process, the competition has become a trusted stage where creative talent truly shines. This year’s macro category proved once again that photography isn’t just about what we see, it’s about revealing worlds we normally miss.
Taking 1st Place, Russian photographer Ramil Shakirov stunned viewers with The Crustacean Hyperia Galba, an image bursting with surreal underwater detail. France’s Andrea Grammatico earned 2nd Place with the intense Closeup of Snake and Mosquito, while Spain’s Javier Ruperez secured 3rd Place for the mesmerizing Detail Eupholus magnificus 10x. Together, these winning images celebrate patience, precision, and the insane beauty hiding in the smallest corners of life.
You can find more info:
1. 1st Place Winner: The crustacean Hyperia galba by Ramil Shakirov, Russian Federation
2. 2nd Place Winner: Andrea Grammatico, France
3. 3rd Place Winner: Detail Eupholus magnificus 10x by Javier Ruperez, Spain
4. Pal Mark, Hungary
5. Tran The Ngoc, Viet Nam
6. Maria Gabriela Rocha Gomez, Mexico
7. Dzulfikri, Indonesia
8. Golden Ratio in Nature by Hardeep Solanki, India
9. Jumping Spider and Pollen by Javier Ruperez, Spain
10. Jumping spider on dogwood flowers by Yuriy Yurevich, Russian Federation
11. Atul Saluja, United States
12. Dang Thanh Tinh, Viet Nam
13. Natalya, Russian Federation
14. Muhamad Ikhsanudin, Indonesia
15. Li Chen-Youm Taiwan
16. Ho Tan Thinh, Viet Nam
17. Dance of Love by Paul Irvine, Australia
18. Lamprima adolphinae female by Javier Ruperez, Spain
19. Team Work by Chinta Haran Ghosh by India
20. Alien Geometry by Hoang Thu Huong, Viet Nam
21. A robberfly by Huỳnh Anh Kiệt, Viet Nam
22. Symmetrical portrait of a common housefly by Yuriy Yurevich, Russian Federation
23. Dr Caesar Sengupta, India
24. Fire show by Anatoliy Pleshistiy, Russian Federation
25. Rain shower by Valdir Hobus, Brazil
26. Tsvetan Ganev, Bulgaria
27. Common ant by Javier Ruperez, Spain
28. Tran The Ngoc, Viet Nam
29. Boxer mantis by Lyphutai, Viet Nam
30. Ruling the garden by Dzulfikri, Indonesia
31. Tsvetan Ganev, Bulgaria
32. Dmitry Kuznetsov, Russian Federation
33. Tran The Ngoc, Viet Nam
34. Andrea Grammatico, France
35. The Gypsy with drops by Pedro Luis Ajuriaguerra Saiz, Spain
36. Dmitry Kuznetsov, Russian Federation
37. Tsvetan Ganev, Bulgaria
38. Non-biting midge by Mukesh Tripathi, India
39. Tsvetan Ganev, Bulgaria
40. Black Hair by Ireneusz Irass Waledzik, Poland
FAQs:
What is the 35 Awards photography competition?
35 Awards is an international photography competition founded in 2015 that brings together photographers from over 157 countries. The platform recognizes outstanding visual storytelling across multiple categories while continuously improving its judging, ranking, and evaluation systems for global creative talent.
Why is macro photography so popular in photography contests?
Macro photography reveals hidden textures, colors, and details invisible to the naked eye. It transforms tiny subjects into dramatic works of art, allowing photographers to showcase technical precision, creativity, patience, and a completely new perspective on everyday natural elements.
Who won the Macro category at the 35 Awards 2026?
Ramil Shakirov from Russia won 1st Place for The Crustacean Hyperia galba. Andrea Grammatico from France earned 2nd Place for Closeup of Snake and Mosquito, while Javier Ruperez from Spain secured 3rd Place with Detail Eupholus magnificus 10x.
What makes award-winning macro photography unique?
Award-winning macro photography combines sharp focus, lighting, composition, and storytelling. The best images capture subjects in extraordinary detail while creating emotional impact, often making tiny insects, plants, or textures appear larger-than-life and visually unforgettable for viewers worldwide.
How does 35 Awarsd support photographers worldwide?
35 Awards provides a global platform for photographers to share their work, gain recognition, and compete internationally. By connecting creatives from different countries and refining its contest systems over time, the platform helps both emerging and professional photographers reach wider audiences.
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