A stunning photo of peahens has made it to the final round of the 60th International Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition. This enchanting photo was captured by a 9-year-old girl from India, who clinched the runner-up title in the “10 and under” category.
Shreyovi Mehta’s award-winning piece, titled “In the Spotlight,” depicts two peahens standing in the center of a “dark tunnel” formed by dense trees, with the dim background illuminated by the early morning light. The emerging photographer referred to the extraordinary golden glow captured in her lens as the “divine light.”
The picture beautifully showcases the harmonious beauty of nature. The bright background juxtaposed with the dark foreground creates a stark contrast, as if a hopeful path suddenly appears amidst seemingly insurmountable life challenges.
Hailing from Faridabad, India, Shreyovi shared with Epoch Times, “I started learning about wildlife around the age of 2 and picked up a camera around the age of 6.”
“This is the first time I have captured a photo of two subjects in such rare light,” she added.
Shreyovi’s photo stood out among 59,228 entries from 117 countries and regions. She received the award at the ceremony held at the Natural History Museum in London on October 8.
The remarkable story behind her achievement is as captivating as her award-winning photo. Last year, at the age of 9, she took this exceptional photo.
On a November morning, Shreyovi and her 43-year-old father, Shivang Mehta, a seasoned wildlife photographer and founder of Nature Wanderers, set out to Keoladeo National Park in Bharatpur, India, in search of the Indian crane, also known as the Sarus crane.
“During our search, we stumbled upon a path where golden light intertwined with mist, creating a dreamlike natural canvas amidst lush trees, with two peahens in the center,” Shreyovi recalled.
Upon witnessing this ethereal scene, the young girl quickly grabbed her father’s camera to take the shot. However, just as she was about to press the shutter, a nilgai (Indian antelope) suddenly appeared by the roadside.
Her proud father remarked that it was a very fortuitous moment, as the nilgai only appeared for half a second. Had Shreyovi not captured the photo at that exact moment, she might have missed out on the award.
“From the perspective of her taking this photo, the antelope stands out,” Mehta said. “The nilgai adds a lot to this photo, standing there like an audience.”
Shreyovi is the youngest Indian recipient of this award, showcasing the national bird of India—the peacock—with pride.
Upon learning that her photo had received this honor, Shreyovi expressed her shock. Her prize includes a visit to the Natural History Museum in London, where the annual wildlife photography exhibition is being held, featuring 100 outstanding photos from around the world.
“Last year, I visited the Natural History Museum as a tourist, but this time, I’m going to collect an award,” she said.
Undoubtedly, Shreyovi has filled her family with immense pride.
“The Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition is like the ‘Oscars’ of wildlife photography,” Mehta said. “So, to be recognized on this platform, I believe it’s a huge encouragement and driving force for her. And, it’s not just about our small family, she has indeed made the whole country immensely proud.”
Photography has led Shreyovi and her family to various places. In pursuit of capturing perfect shots, she often ventures into the wilderness and has the opportunity to witness wildlife behaviors in their natural habitat. Her next goal is to visit the Himalayas with her dad to see snow leopards.
As a professional wildlife photographer, Mehta has continuously taught his daughter that capturing photos is secondary, appreciating the outdoor beauty is paramount.
“Whenever there’s an opportunity, I take her outdoors,” he said. “My idea is that she should observe nature up close. If she learns to respect nature and wildlife, then photography naturally follows.”