Ephemeral fairies

Fungi and insects make for an exciting season, says James Lowen

Here are the top ten images uploaded to Photocrowd from Round Three, Close-ups and Details, with comments by the AP team and our guest judge

PHOTOS, LETTERS, TWEETS, QUESTIONS – HAVE YOUR SAY

From Lensbaby optics to binoculars and sandals, 27 photographers talk to CUPOTY co-founder Tracy Calder about their go-to gear for prize-winning close-up pictures

Bringing you some of the gardening news highlights

A new book of bird photography celebrates not only the avian world, but the photographers using creative techniques to produce original artworks, from characterful studio portraits to eye-catching abstracts, writes Graeme Green