Apple crowns 10 micro‑magnifico champions!
What’s the scoop?
Apple pulled out its big guns in January with the “Shot on iPhone” Macro Challenge and wrapped it up on February 16. An international panel of judges went through every pic—yes, those tiny, razor‑sharp shots taken on the iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro—then finally chose the cream of the crop.
Meet the champs
- Winner #1: “Tiny Treasures” by Maya Lee – A crochet ball of light and colour that could make a squirrel jealous.
- Winner #2: “Petite Petals” from Carlos Rios – A single sunflower petal that’s practically a work‑of‑art.
- Winner #3: “Mini Marvel” by Hye‑Jin Park – A humming‑bird in a frame that looks like it’s buzzing on your screen.
- Winner #4: “Crimson Quarks” from Evan Zhang – Playful vanishing act of a red pen tip that guesses you’ll need a microscope.
- Winner #5: “Micro Mosaic” by Noor Al‑Amri – A puzzle of a fruit slice that’s smoother than a bakery pastry.
- Winner #6: “Nano Noodles” from Martin G. – One strand of spaghetti that wins the “most delicious” acronym.
- Winner #7: “Silk‑Swan” by Isabella Duarte – A feather that glides through your phone’s light like a grace‑ful ballerina.
- Winner #8: “Lock of Life” from Joao Santos – A close‑up of a lock that’s steadier than a mountain range.
- Winner #9: “Paper Pinprick” by Olivia Patel – A single paper shard that seems to hold up the entire universe.
- Winner #10: “Glass Gem” by Yusuke Kinoshita – Tiny shards of glass that refract light as if they’re a secret whole‑world carnival.
Every nominee had to shoot with straight‑ahead focus (no trick shots or red‑eye shenanigan). Apple’s choice? Fresh, fearless, and upped the game of micro‑photography to a whole new level. If you’re a budding iPhone photographer, the time to set your sights on those minuscule marvels is now—who knows? Your image could be next time next time.
Apple’s Macro Photo Contest Winners
In a scoop that feels like a behind‑the‑camera sitcom, Apple’s Cupertino headquarters celebrated a set of images that turned everyday oddities into showstoppers. The company explained that these photos were chosen for their macro mastery and their uncanny ability to make the ordinary look entirely extraordinary.
What Makes These Shots Stand Out
- A strawberry floating in soda – who knew fruit could be so dramatic?
- A vibrant hibiscus flower that pops like a billboard on a sunny day
- Snowflakes landing on a dog’s fur – the coolest canine snow‑day you’ve ever seen
- Water droplets on a spider’s web – like tiny underwater rainbows
Apple remarks that these images capture the unnoticed magic that greets us every day, turning the dull into something that feels almost magical. It’s like the camera has a secret cheat code.
Who Took the Spotlight
- United States: Boston, San Francisco, New York, New Jersey (four finalists)
- International entries from Thailand, Spain, Italy, India, China, Hungary, Argentina
Where You’ll See These Masterpieces
The top ten winners won a front‑row seat the world over: online galleries, the Apple Store, and billboards that will make you feel like you’re living in a living postcard.
