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At Just 14 Years Old, Rithved Girish Takes First Place in Close-Up Photographer of the Year 7, Surpassing Global Competitors and Proving That Talent, Patience, and a Sensitive Eye Overcome Technical Limitations
At 14, Rithved Girish achieved a feat that many photographers take decades to accomplish. The young photographer secured first place in the Close-Up Photographer of the Year, considered the largest macro photography competition in the world.
The victory was even more notable due to an unlikely detail: the equipment used was an old DSLR camera, far removed from the latest technologies.
Based in the United Arab Emirates, the teenager surpassed competitors from different countries by transforming a seemingly simple encounter with nature into an award-winning image.
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Technique, patience, and emotion came together in a result that exceeded expectations.
The Young Talent Had Already Been Attracting Attention
Rithved Girish won the Young category of Close-Up Photographer of the Year 7, a competition that brings together professional and amateur photographers.
The achievement reinforces a trajectory that was already showing signs of prominence. Prior to this, he had secured second place in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards, often referred to as the “Oscar of Wildlife.”
The recognition consolidates a journey built with curiosity and dedication. While many young people focus their attention on screens, Rithved prefers to explore the tiny universe that goes unnoticed by most.
Small creatures, textures, and behaviors become the protagonists of his attentive gaze.
An Old Camera and a Patient Eye
Instead of resorting to cutting-edge mirrorless models, the young photographer opted for a professional DSLR released nearly ten years ago, combined with a third-party lens.
The choice reflects more than a technical decision. It shows intimacy with the equipment, developed through testing, mistakes, and continuous learning.
This close relationship with the camera allowed him to capture a delicate and precise scene. In a landscape dominated by the relentless pursuit of technological novelty, Rithved relied on careful observation and waiting for the right moment.
The result was an image that caught the judges’ attention and encapsulated sensitivity and technical mastery.
The Young Photographer’s Encounter with Bees That Changed Everything
During summer vacation in Kerala, India, Rithved came across a stingless bee nest, likely from the Tetragonula family.
Fascinated by the small wonders of nature, he described the scene with enthusiasm. “These small yet remarkable bees carefully built their home using wax, resin, and mud,” he stated in an interview with the American portal Digital Camera World.
He also highlighted that no bait or attractant was used to capture the moment. For the young photographer, the image serves as a reminder of the essential role that tiny creatures play in ecological balance.
The Close-Up Photographer of the Year accepts photographs taken with any equipment, from mobile phones to microscopes. The next edition will be launched in 2026.
Until then, Rithved’s achievement remains an inspiration, reminding us that a sensitive eye, patience, and curiosity continue to be, above all, the most powerful tools of photography.
With information from Correio 24 horas.
Poor grammar, 14 year-old boy uses camera older than him, is incorrect grammar. Finish the sentence, ie. older than him is. No, older than he is. Is correct. So it is “older than he”.