International Photography Awards Announced The Finalists Of Their 2023 Competition (30 Pics)

Bored Panda contacted Kevin Blackwell, a photographer based in Atlanta, Georgia, whose image titled "Ant-mimic Jumping Spider" earned him the 3rd prize in the Nature/Macro category for non-professional photographers. We were curious to learn about the inspiration behind his pursuit of nature and macro photography. Kevin shared with us: “I've always had a passion for photography as a medium for storytelling. My love for showcasing the tiny awesomeness of animals has evolved into a mission to bring people closer to these fascinating creatures, allowing them to appreciate the beauty and intricate details that often go unnoticed.”

When asked how he encountered this particular species for his shot, Blackwell told us: “The slender ant-mimic jumping spider (Synemosyna formica) is my favorite species of arachnids, fortunately found throughout my state. Once you understand this species' behavior, you can find these beauties walking under the leaves of trees. I specifically wanted to photograph this species, so I went out to find it!”

Macro photography can be challenging due to the small size of the subjects. We wanted to know more about the difficulties faced by the 2023 IPA finalist while capturing the “Ant-mimic Jumping Spider.” Kevin explained: “Macro photography poses numerous challenges, from working on such a small scale to lighting insanely small creatures. However, the reward is always worth it. One of the challenges of photographing this species is that they rarely sit still. They constantly hide, move or jump, making it easy to miss the shot. But, as with shooting most insects, patience and practice will take you far.

Finally, we were interested in learning about upcoming projects or subjects the photographer is excited to explore in his future endeavors, particularly in the realm of nature and macro photography. We discovered that: “I do have some exciting photography projects unrelated to wildlife photography that I am currently working on and will be posting about very soon. As for wildlife, I am always looking for the next thing to shoot—large or small. Additionally, I am the photographer for The Amphibian Foundation in Atlanta, providing many exciting opportunities to photograph amphibians. Spotted salamander season is upon us, so I am definitely looking forward to some salamander awesomeness!”