Summary
- BPOTY 12 is open for entries until 13 December 2026.
- The new cycle introduces a refreshed entry portal and removes the Video category.
- Adult entrants have 10 entry options, while the total prize fund exceeds £11,000 in cash and equipment vouchers.
- The rules place strict limits on AI use and require original files from entrants who reach the final stage.
Event Details
Bird Photographer of the Year has opened entries for its new BPOTY 12 cycle, with a deadline of 13 December 2026 and several changes compared with the previous competition.
The announcement follows the publication of the Bird Photographer of the Year 2026 winners on PTTL. The competition is also changing its naming convention: instead of using the calendar year, the new cycle is called BPOTY 12, marking the 12th edition of the competition.
What changes with BPOTY 12
One of the biggest changes is the removal of the Video category. BPOTY says the decision was a difficult one, while the new cycle continues with 10 adult entry options: eight main photography categories, the Portfolio Award and the Conservation Award. The entry portal still shows an older reference to a Video Award in one section, while the current BPOTY 12 rules and the new announcement no longer include the Video category.
The entry portal has also been updated. Existing users do not need to create a new account, but they will be asked to reconfirm their details when they log in.
Competition categories
- Best Portrait
- Birds in the Environment
- Bird Behaviour
- Birds in Flight
- Black and White
- Urban Birds
- Creative Perspectives
- Conservation (Single Image)
- Portfolio Award
- Conservation Award
There is also a separate Young Bird Photographer of the Year competition with three youth categories. The youth competition is free to enter.
More than £11,000 in prizes
The total prize fund stands at more than £11,000 in cash and camera-equipment vouchers. The Overall Winner will receive £3,000 and the title of Bird Photographer of the Year.
Gold winners in each of the eight main categories receive £500, Silver winners receive £250, while Bronze winners receive a £100 camera-equipment voucher. The Portfolio Award and Conservation Award each carry a £500 cash prize.
A new judging panel
BPOTY 12 introduces a new judging panel that includes Aishwarya Sridhar, Mark Carwardine, Daisy Gilardini, Richard Peters, Sue Flood OBE and Hans Cosmas Ngoteya. The panel brings together different approaches to wildlife photography, filmmaking and conservation storytelling.
What to know before submitting
The adult competition uses entry credits. The current rate is £35 for 25 entries, rising to £40 for 25 entries from 8 December 2026, plus VAT where applicable for UK-based entrants.
Initial submissions must be JPEG files with a maximum long edge of 2000 pixels and a maximum file size of 2 MB. Entrants shortlisted for the final judging stage will be asked to supply high-resolution files and the original RAW files, or untouched original JPEGs when RAW files are unavailable, for authentication.
The processing rules are strict. AI-generated images and compositing are not permitted, while AI-based tools are prohibited apart from Denoise and Sharpening functions. Object removal through cloning or similar techniques is also prohibited, except for the removal of dust spots or lens dirt.
The competition also places strong emphasis on ethical wildlife photography: causing distress or harm, deliberately disturbing wildlife and live baiting are prohibited.
Key BPOTY 12 dates
- 13 December 2026, 23:59 GMT: entry deadline
- February 2027: high-resolution files requested from advancing entrants
- September 2027: winners announced
The previous competition attracted more than 24,000 images, with Henley Spiers taking the Bird Photographer of the Year 2026 title for “Sunball Rocket”.
Entries for BPOTY 12 are submitted through the official Bird Photographer of the Year entry portal.
What we think
Moving from a calendar-year name to BPOTY 12 makes the competition cycle clearer, while removing the Video category puts the focus fully back on still photography. For photographers considering an entry, the strict rules around AI, compositing and original files mean that submission preparation needs to be handled carefully from the start.
Frequently asked questions
When is the BPOTY 12 entry deadline?
Entries close on 13 December 2026 at 23:59 GMT.
Is there a Video category this year?
No. The Video category has been removed from BPOTY 12.
What is the top prize?
The Overall Winner receives £3,000 and the title of Bird Photographer of the Year.
Are AI tools allowed for editing?
The rules prohibit AI-based tools apart from Denoise and Sharpening functions. AI-generated images are not permitted.
