Macro and close-up photography has been understandably popular over the last year, with a lot of photographers not being able to get much further than their garden or the park. If you have some good images, the search is on to find the next winner of Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY), in association with Affinity Photo. You have until 23 May 2021 to enter the competition and be in with a chance of winning a cash prize of £2,500.

© Andrei Savitsky-Glassworm

This annual competition, co-founded by former AP staffer and regular contributor, Tracy Calder, showcases the best close-up, macro and micro photography from around the world. The competition is open to everyone, using any type of camera, phone or light microscope.

© Tamas KONCZ-BISZTRICZ-Little Ball

There are nine categories in all: Animals, Insects, Butterflies & Dragonflies (new), Underwater (also new), Plants & Fungi, Intimate Landscape, Manmade and Micro, as well as Young CUPOTY for entrants aged 17 or under.

This year the total prize fund has been boosted to £5,300, with the overall winner receiving £2,500 in cash (plus a trophy) and each category winner taking home £300 in cash, with the exception of Young Close-up Photographer of the Year 03 who will receive a Sigma 105mm f2.8 DG DN MACRO Art lens worth £700, USB Dock and a trophy.


© Galice Hoarau: Eel Larva

The judging panel for CUPOTY 03 includes award-winning photographers, magazine journalists, conservationists and authors. Judging will take place in July, with the results announced in September. A selection of the winners and shortlisted entries will appear in AP.

Last year the competition attracted more than 6,500 entries, from 52 countries. All of the winning and shortlisted entries for CUPOTY 02 can be seen here.

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