Underwater Photographer of the Year 2027 (UPY)
Underwater Photographer of the Year 2027 opened for entries on 1 November 2026 and closes on 4 January 2027 at 23:59 GMT; UPY never extends its deadline. In 2026 Matty Smith (Australia) took the title with 'Rockpool Rookies'. For 2027, judging and RAW-file checking run from 6 to 15 January, results go to all entrants on 16 January, and the winners are made public on 26 February 2027. The rules forbid AI-generated images and AI-generated image content, every shortlisted image is RAW-checked for AI content, EXIF data must stay embedded, and deliberate cheats are banned from all future UPY contests. Fees are £20, £35 or £45 for up to 3, 10 or 20 images; three categories are free.
- Deadline
- January 4, 2027
- Entry fee
- £20 / £35 / £45 for up to 3 / 10 / 20 images; Mobile Phone, Save Our Seas Foundation and British Waters Living Together categories are free for up to 5 images each
- Opens
- November 1, 2026
- Results
- February 26, 2027
Authenticity policy
AI policy
AI generated images are not permitted in UPY. The UPY team will request RAW files for all shortlisted files, specifically to check for AI generated content (for example sky/background replacement).
RAW files
The UPY team will request RAW files for all shortlisted files, specifically to check for AI generated content (for example sky/background replacement). RAW files of shortlisted images will be requested by the judges on 10th January and must be submitted by 17th January.
Editing rules
There are no restrictions on post-processing performed by the photographer, but winning images are all RAW-file checked to ensure the final shot represents what was captured; cleaning backscatter, removing unwanted floating objects and AI noise reduction are fine. AI-generated images and AI-generated image content are strictly forbidden. All entries must keep the camera EXIF data embedded, video stills are ineligible, and entrants who deliberately cheat with AI images are banned from all future UPY contests. For the Mobile Phone category the original unedited JPG is requested instead of a RAW file.
Verified on November 7, 2026
Frequently asked questions
- Does Underwater Photographer of the Year 2027 (UPY) allow AI-generated images?
- No. Underwater Photographer of the Year 2027 (UPY) does not permit AI-generated images in its competition entries.
- Are RAW files required to enter Underwater Photographer of the Year 2027 (UPY)?
- Shortlisted entrants must supply their RAW files.
- When is the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2027 (UPY) entry deadline?
- Entries for Underwater Photographer of the Year 2027 (UPY) close on January 4, 2027.
- How much does it cost to enter Underwater Photographer of the Year 2027 (UPY)?
- £20 / £35 / £45 for up to 3 / 10 / 20 images; Mobile Phone, Save Our Seas Foundation and British Waters Living Together categories are free for up to 5 images each
- When are the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2027 (UPY) results announced?
- Underwater Photographer of the Year 2027 (UPY) announces its results on February 26, 2027.
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