Are RAW files required to enter CUPOTY Challenge 2026: Close to Home (Close-up Photographer of the Year)?

Finalists may be asked to supply their RAW files for verification.

How much does it cost to enter CUPOTY Challenge 2026: Close to Home (Close-up Photographer of the Year)?

GBP 11 for one picture or GBP 16 for three (GBP 10 and GBP 14 early bird until 8 November 2026); no limit on the number of entries bought

Open for entriesClose-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY)

CUPOTY Challenge 2026: Close to Home (Close-up Photographer of the Year)

The CUPOTY Challenge is the themed sister competition of Close-up Photographer of the Year, run by the CUPOTY team. The 2026 challenge, Close to Home, asks for close-up, macro and micro photographs made in or around a home with any camera, phone, scanner or microscope. Entries cost GBP 11 for one picture or GBP 16 for three, the challenge closes on 30 November 2026 (uploads until 7 December), and the winners are announced in April 2027. AI noise reduction and small clean-up edits are allowed, generative AI may not create, add or extend anything, and shortlisted entrants can be asked for RAW and source files. The main CUPOTY 8 competition closed in July 2026; its winners follow in January 2027.

AI bannedRAW for finalists

Deadline: November 30, 2026
Entry fee: GBP 11 for one picture or GBP 16 for three (GBP 10 and GBP 14 early bird until 8 November 2026); no limit on the number of entries bought
Results: April 1, 2027

Official site Read full rules

Authenticity policy

AI policy

Generative AI cannot be used to create an image, add anything to the original photograph or extend the background.
Source: https://www.cupoty.com/rules-cupoty-challenge

RAW files

The Organisers may also request the original unedited file to check the degree of post-processing and manipulation.
Source: https://www.cupoty.com/rules-cupoty-challenge

Editing rules

Rule 11 permits AI noise reduction, sharpening and enlargement tools but not tools that invent new detail or content, and use of AI enlargement must be stated in the caption. Rule 13 allows minor local clean-up with clone, heal or AI removal tools, rule 14 allows composites and layered textures when they are declared in the caption, and rule 15 bars generative AI from creating an image, adding anything to the photograph or extending the background. Rule 16 lets the organisers request the original RAW or camera files and all source frames of stacked, stitched or multiple-exposure images for any shortlisted picture, and rule 45 the original unedited file to check the degree of post-processing. The rules were last updated on 29 October 2026.

Verified on November 7, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Does CUPOTY Challenge 2026: Close to Home (Close-up Photographer of the Year) allow AI-generated images?: No. CUPOTY Challenge 2026: Close to Home (Close-up Photographer of the Year) does not permit AI-generated images in its competition entries.
Are RAW files required to enter CUPOTY Challenge 2026: Close to Home (Close-up Photographer of the Year)?: Finalists may be asked to supply their RAW files for verification.
When is the CUPOTY Challenge 2026: Close to Home (Close-up Photographer of the Year) entry deadline?: Entries for CUPOTY Challenge 2026: Close to Home (Close-up Photographer of the Year) close on November 30, 2026.
How much does it cost to enter CUPOTY Challenge 2026: Close to Home (Close-up Photographer of the Year)?: GBP 11 for one picture or GBP 16 for three (GBP 10 and GBP 14 early bird until 8 November 2026); no limit on the number of entries bought
When are the CUPOTY Challenge 2026: Close to Home (Close-up Photographer of the Year) results announced?: CUPOTY Challenge 2026: Close to Home (Close-up Photographer of the Year) announces its results on April 1, 2027.

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