Mastodawn

Storms by the sea are never just about wind and waves — they’re about raw forces of nature colliding in ways you can feel with your whole body. During last week’s storm, taking sharp pictures felt like a battle in itself. Every shot was handheld, because even a tripod wouldn’t survive the gale. The wind howled, the sea roared, and then came the sand — endless grains, propelled like tiny bullets by the gusts, mixed with salty sea spray.

In the first image, the wave breakers bear the marks of that power. Lines of airborne sand cut past the poles, revealing just how ferocious the storm’s energy was. Scientifically, this process is called saltation — grains lifted and bounced by wind, gaining enough speed to carve and erode whatever they strike. It’s the same force that shapes dunes and slowly wears down coastlines.

The second image shows a man braving the storm near the shore. His stance, his struggle, and the visible streams of sand all capture what it means to endure weather at its fiercest. To stand on that beach was to be humbled — by the sheer scale of forces that shape landscapes and remind us of the balance between human presence and natural power.

These moments were captured with the Canon 5DsR + Sigma ART 24/70 and the Canon 5D Mark IV + Sigma 100/400. A tough test for both camera and photographer — but worth every grain of sand.

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Maikel de Bakker Sep 18

Last week’s storm brought more than just dramatic skies and roaring waves — it also brought a reminder of the courage and skill of those who protect lives at sea. As I photographed the storm at sunset, I suddenly caught flashing lights from the corner of my eye. A large vessel stormed across the beach: the KNRM (Koninklijke Nederlandse Redding Maatschappij).

Within moments, the lifeboat hit the water, cutting through crashing waves with incredible force. The sheer power of the launch was breathtaking — in one frame, the ship burst through a backlit wave, sending a giant spray skyward, and in the next, it rose above the water as if weightless. To witness such a scene, and to capture it, felt like pure luck and timing.

The KNRM is staffed largely by volunteers, men and women who risk the elements to rescue others in need. Seeing them in action, even in training or readiness, is a striking reminder of the human dedication behind maritime safety.

These shots were taken with my Canon 5D Mark IV and Sigma 100–400mm, with the storm winds and salt spray making it as much a battle for my gear as for the lifeboat crew. Once again, cleaning up after the shoot was no small task — but moments like these are worth every grain of sand.

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