17-year-old Maksym Breus spent 200 hours in the field to capture a falcon's mid-air hunt.
In an era of instant gratification, 17-year-old photographer Maksym Breus has proven that patience remains the most vital tool in a nature photographer’s kit. Breus recently secured the top prize in the Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s 2026 Nature Photography Competition, besting over 1,200 entries with a breathtaking image of a Hobby—a small, agile falcon—in the heat of a mid-air chase. The photograph captures the precise moment the raptor closes in on a dragonfly over the waters of Redgrave and Lopham Fen in Norfolk, England.
The victory is the culmination of a three-year obsession. Breus did not simply stumble upon the scene; he dedicated over 200 hours to observing the behavior of these specific birds, learning their flight patterns and hunting habits. This deep immersion allowed him to anticipate a 'once-in-a-lifetime' interaction that most casual observers would miss in the blink of an eye. The resulting image is a masterclass in timing and technical execution, showing the predator and prey suspended in a high-stakes aerial ballet.
By winning the competition, Breus has highlighted the importance of fieldcraft in contemporary photography. While modern gear allows for high frame rates, the success of this shot relied on the photographer's willingness to return to the same marshland year after year, waiting for the perfect alignment of light, action, and focus. His story serves as a powerful reminder that the most compelling documentary and nature images are often earned through persistence rather than luck.
This story highlights the value of long-term observation and 'slow photography' in a fast-paced digital world. It encourages emerging photographers to invest time in understanding their subjects deeply to achieve technical and narrative excellence.
LoopEditions, our marketplace for buying original art, music and photography direct from independent creators, is at www.loopeditions.com. A machine-readable summary of this site is at /llms.txt.
This page needs JavaScript for the full experience. Read more about CreativLoop at www.creativloop.com.