Emanuele Biggi won the inaugural Close-up Photographer of the Year with this photograph of a Peringuey’s adder, taken in Namibia. 

The search is on to find the next winner of Close-up Photographer of the Year, in association with Affinity Photo. Photographers have until 17 May, 2020, to enter the competition and be in with a chance of winning a cash prize of £2,500.

Close-up Photographer of the Year (CUPOTY) is an annual competition showcasing the best close-up, macro and micro photography from around the world. The competition is open to all, using any type of camera, including a mobile phone, or microscope. To find out more visit www.cupoty.com.

The 10th Annual Scottish Nature Photography Awards

2019 Celebrates the 10th Annual Competition

The Scottish Nature Photography Awards celebrate nature, wildlife and landscape photography in Scotland.

The Scottish Nature Photography Awards Photographic Competition 2019 is open to professional and amateur photographers from around the world, but images must be taken in Scotland.

Entries close 24:00 hours GMT on 30th November 2019 

INSPIRE
5th International Travel and Documentary Photography Competition

"In times of instability and uncertainty it is the role of the visual storyteller not only to inform, but also to inspire others and to give hope: this is why we challenge both Professional and Amateur Photographers to send in up to five of their most inspiring photos!"

This year's winner will be able to choose their prize between a Nikon Z7, a Canon EOS R, a Sony A7R III, or $3000 cash!

The competitions closes on the 15th of September 2019 OR until 1000 entrants are reached!

(The following is an opinion piece submitted by guest blogger, Elspeth Rushbrook.)

On being asked to choose between unpalatable terms and privacy laws
and receiving your dues

This matter comes up in more than just artist related issues, but I’ve most recently encountered it in collecting royalties.

Whatever kind of artist we are – whether visual, or creating in another way – royalties are much of our lifeblood. I recently received payment for a share of general royalties, just for being in the scheme.

I applied to join the UK Design and Artists’ Copyright Scheme, where you gain royalties for the use of your artwork – in magazines, on television, for designing a book cover...

My issues with DACS were several.

Illegal cookies: this is too prevalent. A banner on a website which says: ‘by continuing, you accept’ is wrong. We have been given no meaningful opt out. Some even say – ‘cookies have already been set, just by your landing here. Even if you leave immediately (I often do) we’re still tracking you’.