Macro Photography Contests

Are you interested in macro photography contests? Do you want to showcase your close-up shots and win prizes in macro photo competitions? You’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll find a curated list of the best macro photography competitions. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, you will find something for everyone here. Explore a variety of contests, all designed to celebrate the art of macrophotography. Find all the macro photography contests we have gathered, featuring some of the most captivating opportunities available.

Next macro photography competition

1839 Awards: Photographer of the Year 2024

1839 Awards: Photographer of the Year 2024

17/10/2024    
All day
1839 Awards
The 1839 Awards: Photographer of the Year 2024 contest is a prestigious event that celebrates the art of photography on an international scale. This contest [...]
More Info

List of macro photography competitions

Find all the macro photography contests we have gathered, featuring some of the most captivating opportunities available. These contests are sorted by their deadlines, helping you select your next macro photography challenge and prepare to impress with your skills.

Is there a macro photography awards you don’t see on our list? Send us the details, and we’ll include it!

Why enter macro photography contests?

As with every type of photography contest, there are a number of reasons to enter a macro photography competition. Most likely the first of all is the chance to make money doing something you love, but that’s not all. Participating in macro photography contests offers numerous advantages, in addition to the possibility of winning prizes:

Increase your portfolio:

yes, it doesn’t seem like this is really a reward, but it is. Participating in a macro photo competition is one of the best ways to face our limitations, to force us to work harder and reach new heights. When you come across an incredible selection of truly inspiring macro photographs competing with you, you’ll want to surpass them and practice like never before.

Visibility and recognition:

A good macro photography contest will give you the chance to showcase your work to a wider audience. Whether through exhibitions or publishing your images in media around the world, macro photography awards can be an interesting way to get discovered.

Networking opportunities:

Although most photographers don’t think about this when participating in a macro photo contest, these events can be a great place to expand your network. If your photos really stand out, professionals, additions and media from all over the world will see them. That, in today’s world, can mean contacts or even being offered interviews or projects.

Feedback and growth:

The exposure you can get by excelling in macro photography competitions can come with some surprises. It is possible that both the judges themselves and other photographers may want to give you some feedback on your photographs. But you will also have to learn to select which comments are really worthwhile.

Macro and micro photography competition are the same thing?

For most macro photography competitions they usually are, but in reality they aren’t. So pay attention to the rules of these competitions. Let’s look at some differences between these types of close up photography.
 

What is macro photography?

Macro photography is capturing images of small elements with a size ratio of at least 1:1. This means that the subject will appear life-size or even larger in the photograph. This technique is often used to show details of flowers, insects or everyday objects in a different way. Its unique properties in terms of depth of field, lighting or composition have made macro photography a very common subject in photography competitions.
 

What is Micro Photography?

Microphotography, also known as photomicrography, consists of capturing images through a microscope. This technique is used to photograph objects too small to be seen with the naked eye, such as cells or bacteria. Micro Photography is commonly used in scientific research, but it is an interesting technique in the artistic world. As a general rule, it requires specialized equipment to achieve the necessary magnification, and not all photographers have access to this.
 

Differences in Competitions

As we have said, in most competitions no distinction is made between macro and micro photography, but you should keep an eye out just in case.
 
In a macro photography contest, it is common for both macro and micro photography to be accepted. This is usually explained in the rules of the contest. In some cases only macro photographs will be accepted, while in others no distinction will be made.
 
If the contest is dedicated exclusively to this type of photography, it is possible that there will be a separate category for microphotography. But always, always, each macro photo contest must be investigated individually.
 
In a micro photo contest it is usually different. These contests are usually dedicated exclusively to photomicrography, so many will not accept classic macro photography.

What do I need to enter in a macro photography contest?

Fortunately, times have changed and it is no longer necessary to have the best macro lens to be able to practice this type of photography. Nowadays you can succeed in macro photography awards without the need to have the best equipment in the world. But let’s not fool ourselves, even if it is not necessary, a good equipment helps. And a lot.
 
However, beyond extreme macro lenses, extension tubes, or ring lights, today there are many ways to take perfect shots to enter the best macro photography competitions. What’s more, with a handful of creativity, I’m sure you’ll be amazed at what you can do with a phone.
 
So no, you don’t need big, expensive equipment to enter macro photography contests. You need patience, effort, practice and, depending on the contest, pay the entry fee (and if not you can always stop by our free photo contests section).

Share