A summer sunset by the sea

by Sander Poppe

On a warm summer’s evening, I was standing atop a dune near Westkapelle. Before me lay the beach, the beach huts and the North Sea, whilst the setting sun hung directly above the horizon. The sun’s light bathed the marram grass, the sand and the sky in soft shades of yellow, pink and purple.

What appeals to me about this place is the layered nature of the landscape. The dunes form the natural foreground, behind which lie the beach huts and, further on, the sea. Far in the distance, the dyke and breakwater slowly fade into the last light of the day. It gives the scene a tranquil composition in which there is much to discover without it feeling overwhelming.

The small clouds over the sea enhanced the play of colours in the sky that evening. Together with the warm light, this created that typical summer feeling I always associate with the Zeeland coast.

Thanks to the soft colours, the open space and the tranquil rhythm of the dunes, beach and sea, this photograph exudes a sense of relaxation. The image brings a touch of summer indoors and fits beautifully in a home, office or reception area where light, tranquillity and nature can come together.