my story
About me
My name is Mateusz Piesiak, I was born in 1996 in Wroclaw in Poland. I study Automatics and Robotics at Wroclaw University of Science and Technology. I am photographing since 2009. I belong to Polish Nature Photographers Association. My images were awarded at national and international photographic competitions, published in journals, and presented at exhibitions.
I’ve been interested in nature since I can remember. It allows me to calm down and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I photograph mostly birds. Wildlife photography requires a lot of patience and preparation, eg. building special hides. Often, after many hours of sitting in my hiding place, I come home without any photo. However, when I finally take an awaited shot, it rewards any effort.
In nature photography I like the moment, when I am hidden in the hide, and like a spectator sitting in the front row in the theater, I can admire the amazing spectacle of nature that takes place just in front of me.
Trying to capture the perfect shot in Yosemite National Park, USA
This squirrel wanted to check the photo
check also
Other things I do
Besides wildlife photography, I’m interested in few other fields. All of them are connected in some way. When combined together, they complement each other and give me motivation for each new day.
Art
I like to paint and draw animals.
Piano
I love music. I’ve been playing piano since a young kid.
Photography
Awards & recognitions
My photographs and projects have been featured amongst the winners of world’s top nature photography competitions including Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Siena International Photography Awards and GDT European Photographer of the Year.
2020
Moscow International Photo Awards – honorable mention
Memorial Maria Luisa – honorable mention
Golden Turtle – finalist
Lookout Wild Film Festival – 1st prize
Student World Awards – 1st prize
The Photograph – 2nd prize
2019
Moscow International Photo Awards – Gold Award
2018
Fritz Pölking Junior prize – 1st prize
Chromatic Photography Awards – 1st prize
Golden Turtle – finalist
iPhone International Photo Awards – 1st prize, Panorama category
MontPhoto – honor award
2017
Konkurs Pokazów Multimedialnych na Międzynarodowym Festiwalu Fotografii Przyrodniczej “Wizje Natury” – highly commended
Oasis Photo Contest – finalist
Siena International Photo Awards – finalist
RHS Photographic Competition – highly commended
BBC International Garden Photographer of the Year – honorable mention
2016
Photokina – author exhibition
Kuwait Grand Photography Contest – honorable mention
Siena International Photo Awards – 3rd prize (cat. Student)
Siena International Photo Awards – remarkable award (cat. Student)
2015
Golden Turtle (Russia) – specially commended
Epson International Pano Awards – 1st prize
Siena International Photo Awards – 1st prize (cat. Wildlife)
Siena International Photo Awards – 1st prize (cat. Student)
Asferico Photo Contest – finalist
Nature Photography Contest – 1st prize
Memorial Maria Luisa – 1st prize (u21)
2014
Best International Oasis Photographer of the year 2014
Oasis Photo Contest – Grand Prix
RHS Photographic Competition – 1st prize
2013
Wildlife Photographer of the Year – 1st prize (u17)
RHS Young Photographer of the Year 2013
RHS Photographic Competition – 1st prize (u18)
National Wildlife’s Photo Contest – 1st prize (u18)
2012
Memorial Maria Luisa – highly commended
Travel Photographer of the Year – Special Mention
2011
Young Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2011
Wildlife Photographer of the Year – 1st prize (u14)
2020
Tytuł Fotografa Roku 2020 Związku Polskich Fotografów Przyrody OD
Konkurs na Fotografa Roku Związku Polskich Fotografów Przyrody OD – Grand Prix, 1 miejsce w kategorii “Krajobraz”, “Ptaki”, “Ssaki”, “Woda”, Inne zwierzęta”, “Rośliny”, “Impresje”, “Kompozycja i forma” oraz “Świat w naszych rękach”
2018
Tytuł Fotografa Roku 2018 Związku Polskich Fotografów Przyrody OD
Konkurs na Fotografa Roku Związku Polskich Fotografów Przyrody OD – Grand Prix, 1 miejsce w kategorii “Owady i Pajęczaki”, “Inne zwierzęta”, “Impresje” oraz “Świat w naszych rękach”
Konkurs fortepianowy Qulturalia Politechniki Wrocławskiej – 1st prize
Konkurs fotograficzny na Festiwalu Fotografii Przyrodniczej “Przyroda Warta Poznania” – 2nd prize
2017
Konkurs fotograficzny “Latające cuda natury” – 1st prize
Konkurs fotograficzny organizowany przez ZOO Wrocław – 1st prize
Eko multimedialny konkurs – highly commended
2016
FOTO EKO – highly commended
V Ogólnopolski Konkurs Fotograficzny „Człowiek, Świat, Przyroda” – 3rd prize
2015
Roztocze w obiektywie “Bioróżnorodność RPN i Roztocza” – 1st & 2nd prize
FOTO EKO – 1st prize
V Ogólnopolski Konkurs Dla Młodych Fotografów Przyrody „Różnorodność biologiczna i krajobrazowa Bieszczadzkiego Parku Narodowego i otuliny” – 1st prize
XIV Ogólnopolski Konkurs Fotograficzny „Człowiek, Świat, Przyroda” – 1st prize & złoty medal „za fotograficzną twórczość”
Ogólnopolski konkurs fotograficzny “Przyroda w obiektywie” – 3rd prize
2014
FOTO EKO – highly commended
Ogólnopolski konkurs fotograficzny “Oblicza przyrody” – 1st prize & highly commended
IV Ogólnopolski Konkurs Dla Młodych Fotografów Przyrody „Różnorodność biologiczna i krajobrazowa Bieszczadzkiego Parku Narodowego i otuliny” – 1st prize
2013
XII Ogólnopolski Konkurs Fotograficzny „Człowiek, Świat, Przyroda” – 1st prize
2012
FOTO EKO – runner up & highly commended
Ptaki Latem w Obiektywie Olympus – 1st prize
IV konkurs fotograficzny „Od czasu do czasu idziemy do lasu” – 1st prize
2011
Ogólnopolski Konkurs Fotograficzny „Pocztówka z wakacji” – grand prix
IV Konkurs Fotografii Przyrodniczej „Zwierzęta i ich siedliska” Fotozwierz – grand prix
FOTO EKO – highly commended
Piękno Przyrody – 1st prize
Owady Polski – 1st prize
Siena international Photography Awards
1st prize in "Student" and 1st prize in "Wildlife" category
Media
Interviews & features
Chosen appearances in TV, press and other media.
Videos
- Pytanie Na Śniadanie
- Dzień Dobry TVN
- TVP3 Wrocław
- TVN24 - 2015
- TVN24 - 2012
Interviews
- www.wrocław.pl - wywiad 2015
- www.wrocław.pl - wywiad 2016
- Gazeta Wrocławska - 2015
- Gazeta Wrocławska - 2013
- Wrocław Nasze Miasto - 2012
- Wrocław Nasze Miasto - 2013
- Wrocław Nasze Miasto - 2013 wywiad
- Wrocław Nasze Miasto - 2015
- Wrocław Nasze Miasto - 2016
- Gazeta Wyborcza
- Fotopolis.pl - recenzja obiektywu