Winners from Close-up Photographer of the Year 5 (2023)

© Csaba Daróczi

WINNER: INTIMATE LANDSCAPE

‘Undertow’

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

© Csaba Daróczi | cupoty.com

WINNER: ANIMALS CATEGORY & OVERALL WINNER

‘The Bird of the Forest’ Csaba Daróczi, Hungary

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.”