The strawberry moon over Elshout by Zwoele Plaatjes

About "The strawberry moon over Elshout"

by Zwoele Plaatjes

About the artwork

The strawberry moon over Elshout: an accidental starring role
Last night I stood with my camera in a meadow just outside Elshout. It was one of those evenings when the sky is still softly coloured after a hot day. No spectacular clouds, no dramatic rays of light - just tranquillity. But sometimes you don't need more.

I had been watching the moonrise. According to the calculations, the strawberry moon would rise right next to the church tower. A full moon in June, low on the horizon. The nickname 'strawberry moon' sounds romantic, but it simply refers to the beginning of the strawberry season. Yet there is something in that name. Something summery. Something sultry.

With a 500mm telephoto lens on a tripod, I waited for the moment. And yes - slowly the moon slid up, exactly where I hoped. Large, soft orange and almost tangible. The spire seemed to touch her. I printed.

Later that evening, I posted the picture online. No idea what would happen. Until I suddenly got a notification: NOS News had picked up the photo. First in their online article, then even on TV. A bit surreal, to be honest.

What started as a simple plan - moon next to church - ended up in national attention. That feels honourable, but mostly nice because it shows that small things can be noticed. A moon over a village. No more, no less.

I like to take pictures that exude tranquillity. Images that don't shout, but silently say something. That such a photo suddenly reaches so many people is special. And somehow also an encouragement: keep looking, keep planning, keep enjoying the light.