CUPOTY
Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) celebrates close-up, macro and micro photography through an annual international competition, themed challenges, newsletter and book.
CUPOTY 8 closed for entries on July 12th, 2026. Thank you to everyone who entered – we couldn’t do it without you.
Key Dates
CUPOTY 8 picture submission – Sunday 19th July 2026
CUPOTY 8 shortlist revealed – 10 November 2026
Themed Challenge opens – 1 November 2026
Themed Challenge closes – 30 November 2026
CUPOTY 8 winners announced – January 2027
Themed Challenge shortlist revealed – March 2027
Themed Challenge winners announced – April 2027
CUPOTY 9 opens – May 2027
“Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it.” – Mary Oliver
What counts as close-up?
Close-up is the spirit of the competition, not its definition.
The finished image is the important thing, not the equipment that was used to take it – you don't have to use a macro lens to enter. If your image gives the viewer a feeling of being close to the subject, we’d love to see your work.
Here's the range of work CUPOTY celebrates beyond the close-up:
Small scene
The Intimate Landscape category welcomes the widest view in the contest, where small sections of the landscape can be entered as well as close details.
Sense of proximity
Images in Animals, Underwater and Plants do not have to be super-close, but the viewer should feel they could reach out and touch the subject.
Small subject in its habitat
Small subjects like insects, arachnids, fish, plants and fungi can be photographed in a wider context. Celebrating the overlooked is a key aim of CUPOTY.
Macro and extreme macro
The heart of CUPOTY, and welcomed across all the categories.
Photomicrograph
Microscope and objective work is accepted in any category except Underwater and Intimate Landscape.
