The sun had set, and the golden light was gone. The famous blue hour began: that brief period after sunset when the world takes on cooler, softer tones. I chose a slightly different composition. With the changing light and a new framing, this photograph feels to me like a different view of the same evening on the coast at Burgh-Haamstede.
Calm After Sunset
The marram grass continued to sway in the wind. Waves rolled onto the beach, while a line of wooden poles in the distance helped protect the coast from the waves. Dark, threatening clouds hung over the sea. Between the rain showers on the horizon, a final band of warm light remained. In just a few minutes, that too would disappear.
Despite the dark sky, the photograph feels peaceful to me. This is where I want to be: catching my breath and letting the wind clear my mind. The wind, the sea and the changing light bring me back to the moment. Evenings like this help me recharge.
The Journey Back on Willpower
After packing my gear, I had to make my way back to the car. In my previous blog, The Golden Dunes of Burgh-Haamstede, I mentioned how difficult the walk back had been. My legs and back were in a lot of pain. To this day, I still wonder how I made it back to the car. Most likely, it was through sheer willpower.
Despite life’s setbacks and my chronic conditions, I still want to get out and do things. Sometimes I push beyond my limits, and I feel it afterwards. A mobility scooter might help, but it won’t fit in the car. And there’s still the question of whether it could manage the soft sand. For now, I take things one step at a time and try to listen to my body.
Catching My Breath and Looking Ahead
After that evening, I felt mentally recharged. The skies that week were beautiful too. I’m not quite sure how I managed it, but I went out once more during that same week. This time, I chose a location where I only had to step out of the car.
I’ll save that story and those photographs for a future blog post.
A Piece of the Coast to Take Home
The photographs from Burgh-Haamstede are available as photographic prints or digital files. They offer a way to enjoy the calm mood of the blue hour and the Zeeland coast at home.
View more photos via the link, which, like this one, are part of my portfolio ‘Coast’.