Amateur Photographer of the Year 2016 – Your chance to enter the UK’s most prestigious competition for amateur photographers – sponsored by Sigma.

Over the years, AP readers have sent us some incredible images, so 19 years ago we decided to launch the Amateur Photographer of the Year competition in its present format to showcase all their hard work. Since then, APOY has received thousands of entries, with many of them taking the judges’ breath away.

APOY 2016 follows the same format as last year, with eight monthly rounds from March until October. The competition is open to all amateur photographers, but please note that those entrants who live outside the UK who win a prize will be liable for any local customs charges.
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After the closing date of each round, the entries are narrowed down to a shortlist of 50, then the top 30. Points are awarded to each image for creativity, technical excellence and how well the image fulfills the brief.

Judges are looking for imaginative and well-executed pictures that explore the theme in an exciting way. The names of the top 50 photographers from each round appear on our website, along with the images from the top 30. The top 30 images are also published in AP at the end of the following month. After the eight rounds, the person with the most points will be crowned Amateur Photographer of the Year 2016.

Prizes are awarded to the first-placed entrants for each round. This year we have great Sigma lenses, cameras and accessories on offer, worth a total each month of around £1,000. We also have a top prize of Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art (£799.99), Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art (£849.99) and Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Macro (£649.99) lenses worth more than £2,000. That’s a grand total of over £10,000 for APOY 2016 in association with Sigma.

Calling all the Shutterbugs! If photography is your 'true calling' in life and you can tell stories through pictures, then submit us your best click and avail a shot at winning prizes, recognition and a huge network. This is an open-theme contest that will be held every month. We don't do ordinary so surprise us by sending in your best clicks that invoke a sense of euphoria in the viewers!

How It Works
To know about how we make sure that your submissions are yours only read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

• 30 days long , starts from 1st September, 2016
• Upload your photos. Only 1 photo is allowed per entry.
• Judges choice award is based on creativity, originality, and in accordance to the theme of the contest.
• Most appreciated award is based on number of likes on your photo.
• You can share your photo by logging into your account
• ​Total prize value of  ₹2000.

Communicate Science Through Imagery

​Biological research is transforming our society and the world. Help the public and policymakers to better understand the breadth of biology by entering the Faces of Biology Photo Contest.

About the Contest

The theme of the contest is "Faces of Biology." Photographs entered into the contest must depict a person, such as a scientist, researcher, collections curator, technician, or student, engaging in biological research. The depicted research may occur outside, in a lab, with a natural history collection, on a computer, in a classroom, or elsewhere.

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to one First Place Winner, one Second Place Winner, and one Third Place Winner.

The First Place Winner will have his/her winning photo featured on the cover of BioScience, and will receive $250 and a one year membership in AIBS, including a subscription to BioScience.

The Second and Third Place Winners will have his/her winning photo printed inside BioScience, and will receive a one year membership in AIBS, including a subscription to BioScience.

Our First Place Winner was submitted by Francois Bogaerts from Lommel, Belgium