Nature nominee

A low angle shot of a Mantis religiosa in a forest scene. I wanted to make it look intimidating, as most insect might view this predator. I utilized the sunlight that was shining through the trees to make a dramatic backlit scene, with the head right at the brightest bokeh circle.

My name is Panagiotis Dalagiorgos and I am a photographer from Greece, mostly specializing in macro photography. Most of my shots are taken in Kozani prefecture, which is where I come from. I recently moved to Athens in pursuit of a professional career as a photographer. I got my first camera on June 2020 during the pandemic lockdowns. My mental health had declined when the lockdowns began, because I lost my job (I was working as a DJ at the time) and I was forced to move back to my parents' house after 14 years. Nature photography really helped me through this situation, and has since then become a way of life. I love exploring nature and the amazing small world and try to make the best art I can out of it, always prioritizing the well being of my subjects. My goal as a photographer is to make people more aware of the beauty that is all around us but often goes unnoticed, and also learn about the importance of smaller beings and their major role in preserving our ecosystem.