Winners from Close-up Photographer of the Year 5 (2023)
WINNER: INTIMATE LANDSCAPE
Csaba Daróczi, Hungary
Water violet (Hottonia palustris) submerged beneath moving water. “In the first days of May, I always return to a small canal near Izsák, Hungary, where the water violet plants bloom in huge numbers. Unfortunately, flowering was delayed this year and only the leaves were still underwater. I was about to go home when I saw a tree had fallen over the canal and the plants were clearly visible under its reflection. I found it an exciting subject and played with it for a while.”
Camera settings: Nikon Z 6, Nikkor 16-35mm f/4 ED lens, 1/320 sec at f/9, ISO 1250
Post-processing: Basic adjustments in Adobe Lightroom
Further information: Website: www.daroczicsaba.hu
Instagram: @daroczics
WINNER: ANIMALS CATEGORY & OVERALL WINNER
AEurasian nuthatch flies among the trees. “In the winter of 2023, I took a lot of photographs in a forest close to my home in Hungary. I found something new to photograph almost every week and spent several days exploring ideas and perfecting techniques. Staying curious and open-minded led me to this hollowed-out tree stump, which measured around half a metre in diameter. I carefully positioned my GoPro Hero 11 camera inside the trunk and took a few shots. I was amazed by the results. After a few days, I decided the composition might be improved if I included an animal in the frame. So, I returned to the spot and placed sunflower seeds near the hole, which the mice and birds soon found.”
Camera settings: GoPro Hero 11, F2.5/15mm fixed lens, 1/5400 sec at f/2.5, ISO 800
Post-processing: Basic adjustments in Lightroom
Further information: Website: www.daroczicsaba.hu
Instagram: @daroczics
WINNER: BUTTERFLIES & DRAGONFLIES CATEGORY
AJapanese silk moth (Antheraea yamamai) rests on a window as a wedding party takes place inside. “I was photographing a wedding in a forest clearing in the beautiful surroundings of Uzsa, Hungary. The hall lights attracted a lot of insects to rest on the windows. At one point, I saw some guests taking pictures with their phones next to one of the red lights. As Imoved closer, I noticed that amoth had taken up residence on the window. I waited until everyone else had finished their pictures and then took my turn.”
Camera settings: Nikon Z 6, Nikkor AF-S 24mm f/1.4G ED lens, 1/320 sec at f/1.4, ISO 3200
Post-processing: Basic adjustments in Adobe Photoshop
Further information: Website: www.daroczicsaba.hu
Instagram: @daroczics
WINNER: FUNGI CATEGORY
Atiny slime mould (Didymium squamulosum) proudly wears a crown of ice. “I found this slime mould in some leaf litter on t
