On 15 September 2025, Storm* swept along the Zeeland coast. I stood at the impressive Delta Works of Neeltje Jans, on the Westenschouwen side of Schouwen-Duiveland. The wind howled, waves relentlessly struck the rocky blocks, and salty mist filled the air. Yet, despite this wild display of power, beauty emerged: a sunset painted in soft orange, golden, and purple hues, blending perfectly with the stormy scene.
The magic of photographing during the storm
During the storm at Neeltje Jans, I realised how nature can be both powerful and comforting at the same time. Consequently, every few photographs required me to clean the salt from my lens. Salt was everywhere – on my clothes, my bag, and my camera. Moreover, these short cleaning breaks gave me invaluable moments to pause, observe, and truly appreciate the changes in light and sky. Indeed, such fleeting transitions often go unnoticed without deliberate attention.
Exhaustion and renewed energy
Physically, it was demanding. Because of my medical condition, standing in the wind took a great deal of energy. As a result, I felt completely drained afterwards and needed a full week to recover. Nevertheless, the memory still brings a smile to my face. Being alone with no one around allowed me to clear my head and recharge mentally. Additionally, the vast views and the warm tones of the setting sun painted the seascape in a way that made me feel both free and deeply connected to the moment.
In the end, that evening by the Zeeland coast proved to be far more than a photo shoot – it was a reminder that extremes like wildness and softness can coexist beautifully in nature. And fortunately, that is exactly what my photographs now capture.
*I assumed, after checking with various online media, that this storm had already been given a name: Amy. It later turned out that this wasn’t the case. Apologies for any confusion.
P.S. The photos are arranged in chronological order leading up to the sunset. The bottom photo was taken just moments before the sun went down.
View more photos via the link, which, like this one, are part of my portfolio ‘Coast’.