C3 - HC1 Krisztina Mácsai Stand by - Nature Photographer of the Year

Name: Krisztina Mácsai
Picture title: Stand by
Category: Other animals
Nationality: Hungary
Occupation: I am a call center team leader and on demand I also do photo sessions occasionally. Nature/macro photography is more like a hobby for me currently.

Technical information
Camera: Nikon D7500
Lens: Nikon 50mm 1.8 + extension tubes
EXIF: Shutter speed: 1/125, Aperture f/8, ISO100
Accessories: Extension tubes, Godox V1 flash, diffuser

HIGHLY COMMENDED CATEGORY OTHER ANIMALS
Krisztina Mácsai | Stand by

Krisztina Mácsai says:

At the time when this picture was taken, I was walking with my photography class co-students in the forests of Normafa (Budapest), looking for interesting macro subjects. It was autumn and the forest was full of little Cyclosa spiders. I tried to find an angle that is quite unusual and interesting. As these spiders are part of the orb-weavers, they usually look downwards so I had to find one which is high enough to position myself under it and catch the spider from the front at a vertical upward angle. I luckily found one in the perfect position and took the shot. I had to be very careful in order not to harm its web. I love how this angle makes the spider look like it is in a tiny tent, waiting for some little flies to get trapped in its web. It is a typical orb-weaver “stand-by mode” position. The fun fact is, that at the time the picture was taken, I was just between two macro lenses (already sold my old one, waiting for the new one to arrive), so I had to reach back to the combination I used a lot at the beginning of my macro photography attempts: the “nifty-fifty” with extension tubes. Once again, this combo did not disappoint me.

About Krisztina Mácsai:

Hungary

I was always fond of photography but I started to take it “seriously” only a couple of years ago. Macro photography was the field I was immediately drawn to. I was fascinated by the tiny world beneath our feet. I became a self-taught macro photographer and absorbed the knowledge I found on the internet like a sponge. I experimented until I developed my own routines. Last but not least I use macro photography to fight my arachnophobia. I know it sounds contradictory, but facing your biggest fears, trying to understand them and realizing how interesting and amazing they are, really helps. I have made it my mission to show a side of these tiny little creatures that maybe only a few people know and hopefully even get to like through my pictures.