About Jo van de Vyver's work:
Photo Theme:
Farm life Feathered Friends
Photo Story:
The dew clung to the rolling fields like a gentle veil as I messed around with my camera lens. I had woken up at dawn, scouring the countryside for something special. A wildlife photographer, I had been on this rural Dullstroom farm for a week, drawn by rumors of a lone grey heron that inhabited the riverbank.
My goal? The perfect shot.
I’d seen the bird a dozen times or more—its huge shape swooping low over the water, its sharp beak cocked for attack—but nothing had ever seemed quite right. This morning was different. The sky was pale gold, and the world held its breath.
I crouched down among a haystack pyramid at the corner of the field, waiting. And then I saw it.
The heron.
It drifted with ethereal loveliness, wings spread wide, floating toward a solitary bale in the middle of the field. This was it. The perfect shot: the burst of the pale hay against the silky, steel-grey feathers, the beat of its wings shattering the dawn light.
Gasping hard, I raised my camera.
Click. Click.
The shutter clicked swiftly, freezing the moment forever. The heron descended, long legs folding underneath it with experienced ease.I exhaled slowly, sensing in my gut—that was the picture that I had waited for.
And as the bird settled, haloed by morning light, I realized something: perfection wasn't within the image. It lay in the waiting, the calm, and the magic of having been there to witness it.
How long has Jo van de Vyver loved photography:
Photography has been my sanctuary over the past five years. I started with an inexpensive camera, taking photos of sunsets and strangers. Now, every picture is a narrative—light, shadow, emotion captured in time. I chase golden hours, cityscapes, and still moments, always scanning for the ideal shot. Photography isn't a hobby; it's the way I see the world. Five years in, and I'm still in love with every click of the shutter.
How they discovered their passion for photography:
At nine, I picked up my first camera—a small, old one—but to me, it was magic. I photographed everything: my dog, the sky, even raindrops on windows. Each shot taught me something new. Over the years, I experimented with angles, lighting, and editing, turning simple moments into art. Now, at 14, photography isn’t just a hobby; it’s my passion. Every picture I take tells a story, and I can’t wait to capture more.
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