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.

Founded in 2018, it welcomes entries across 11 categories from photographers worldwide, including Animals, Insects, Plants, Fungi & Slime Moulds, Intimate Landscape, Underwater, Arachnids, Butterflies & Dragonflies, Invertebrate Portrait, Studio Art and Young (for under 18s).

CUPOTY 7 (2025) received over 12,000 pictures from 63 countries. A shortlist is revealed for each of the 11 categories, before the Top 100 pictures are selected, 11 category winners named and an overall winner awarded. These are collected in a digital book with full captions and tips from the photographers, along with all the shortlisted pictures.

CUPOTY 8 opens for entries in May 2026.

Key Dates

Death & Decay themed Challenge winners – April 2026

CUPOTY 8 opens – May 2026

CUPOTY 8 closes – July 2026

CUPOTY 8 shortlist revealed – October 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

Supported by

The definitive collection of award-winning macro, micro and close-up photography from the ​7th edition of Close-up Photographer of the Year.

This digital edition is ready to download and read immediately on your computer, tablet or phone.

• 123 full-page photos with captions and technical information

• 241 tips from the awarded photographers​ on technique, vision and fieldcraft

• 373 pages, 647 shortlisted photographs
  

Digital edition • Instant access • No shipping