Summary
- APOY 2026 round eight focuses on close-up and macro photography.
- Entries close on 30 November 2026.
- The £24,000 prize pool covers the full competition.
- A free Young APOY category is also available.
Event Details
Macro photography takes centre stage in round eight of International Amateur Photographer of the Year (APOY) 2026, with entries open until 30 November 2026.
The Amateur Photographer competition welcomes non-professional photographers worldwide. Its prize pool of £24,000 ($32,000) spans all ten rounds of the annual competition, rather than the Close-up & Macro category alone.
What the eighth round is looking for
An insect, a frog, a flower detail or the texture of an ordinary object could make a strong entry. Subjects are not limited to nature: abstracts, miniature landscapes and creative still-life photographs are equally welcome, provided they reveal a close-up view or an interesting detail.
Composition, point of view and control over depth of field matter greatly at close distances. The sharp area can become extremely narrow, so the focus point and the relationship between subject and background often determine whether the image works.
For living subjects, the organisers explicitly emphasise ethical practice and understanding animal behaviour. A photograph should never come at the expense of the animal’s welfare.
How to enter and what it costs
The main APOY 2026 contest permits up to five images per themed round. One entry can be free using the unique code published in Amateur Photographer while the round is open. Without that code, up to four paid entries are permitted.
Entries are submitted through Photocrowd. Check the official APOY 2026 competition page for current fees, upload requirements and full rules before submitting.
The round explicitly states that AI-generated images are not permitted. Entries remain hidden until the expert judging process is complete.
Prizes for photographers
Each round winner receives DxO PhotoLab 8 and FilmPack 7 software valued at £340, a £300 Park Cameras voucher, a £120 annual subscription to The School of Photography and a £50 Bob Books voucher.
The two runners-up receive a DxO Nik Collection licence valued at £146 and a £25 Bob Books voucher. The top ten photographs from each round are published in Amateur Photographer magazine.
After all ten rounds, the overall APOY winner receives a £1,000 Park Cameras voucher and a £100 Bob Books voucher. Entrants accumulate points throughout the competition.
Young APOY: free entry for younger photographers
Young Amateur Photographer of the Year accepts up to four free photographs per round. It is open to photographers aged 13–21 who are no older than 21 by the final closing date, 1 February 2027. Entrants select Young APOY on the submission platform.
Each Young APOY round winner receives DxO PhotoLab and FilmPack software, a £100 Park Cameras voucher, a subscription to The School of Photography and a £50 Bob Books voucher. Both runners-up receive Nik Collection and a Bob Books voucher. The overall Young APOY winner receives vouchers worth £250 and £100.
The dedicated Young APOY Close-up & Macro page outlines the round.
Camera clubs and upcoming rounds
Competitors may also earn leaderboard points for their camera clubs or photographic societies. The winning club after ten rounds receives a new website from Amazing Internet valued at £1,500.
Close-up & Macro runs from 10 to 30 November 2026. Night & Low Light follows from 1 December 2026 to 4 January 2027, then Open from 5 January to 1 February 2027. The earlier black-and-white APOY 2026 round ran in May and June.
What we think
Macro is one of the most rewarding competition categories because a strong subject can be found close to home. A garden or a weathered everyday object can offer just as compelling a photographic idea as a subject found on an expensive trip.
When choosing an entry, we would pay more attention to light and framing than to magnification alone. Getting close can create an instant wow factor, but the most memorable macro images still need a clear visual idea.
With insects and amphibians, there is also an important responsibility. We should not move, stress or trap an animal to manufacture a striking frame. Knowing when to put the camera down is part of being a responsible wildlife photographer.
Frequently asked questions
When do macro entries close?
Round eight, Close-up & Macro, closes on 30 November 2026.
Do I need a dedicated macro lens?
No. The category calls for close-up images or interesting details and does not prescribe a particular lens type. Consult Photocrowd for the full technical upload rules.
Is entry free?
The main competition offers one free entry per round with a magazine code. Eligible Young APOY photographers can submit up to four photographs free of charge.
