A moment when everything seemed to come together: the waves crashing against the rocks, seagulls flying above the ocean, and sunlight breaking through the clouds.
I was watching the birds and waiting for the waves. Then, for a brief moment, the light, the sea and the seagulls became part of the same scene.
The Atlantic is never still, and that is part of its beauty.
That second when three things line up and you know it won't last. I'm always catching those late, or right after the moment breaks, which is why I like that you stayed with it long enough to get the one that worked.
What pulls you back to that particular stretch of coast when you're not teaching?
Thank you, Marcelina. I was born and raised in Ericeira, in a family deeply connected to the sea. My father was a fisherman, and I grew up watching the Atlantic in all its moods.
I keep returning to this stretch of coast because it is part of who I am. No two days are ever the same. The waves, the light and the birds always have something new to show me. Photography is simply another way of preserving those moments and memories.
That rootedness changes everything. The familiar subject never gets boring because you're not just looking at it, you're reading it.
That’s beautifully said, Marcelina. I think growing up surrounded by the sea has taught me to notice things that might otherwise go unnoticed. Every wave, every change in light, and every little movement tells a different story. Thank you for understanding that connection so well.
I know that waiting. You're watching for something to line up, and then for one second the light decides to show up at the same time. The Atlantic doesn't give you long to catch it.
Thank you, Arlene. You’ve expressed something I feel deeply. Growing up by the Atlantic taught me that waiting is never wasted time. Even when the moment I expect doesn’t happen, there is always something worth observing. The sea is constantly changing, and sometimes the most unexpected moments become the most memorable photographs.
That's it exactly. The sea doesn't wait for you to be ready, so you learn to see what's there instead of what you planned to find.
This photo is stunning. A perfect shot where everything falls into place and makes the photo come alive.
Thank you very much, Patricia! I am very touched by your comment. It was one of those moments when the light, the waves, and the seagulls seemed to meet naturally. I am happy to have been able to capture this moment and to share all its beauty with you.
@Anabela Gaspar The ray of sunlight shining through the clouds is magnificent. I can imagine the sound of the waves crashing against the rocks as the seagulls take flight from the waves. Although, the light is cominv thfough the dark clouds it gives a sense of a storm coming in. Scary yet peaceful at the same time.
Thank you, Indira. I love your interpretation. The Atlantic has this fascinating contrast between beauty and power. The sunlight breaking through the clouds created a peaceful atmosphere, but the waves crashing against the rocks reminded me that the ocean is never truly still. That contrast was exactly what I wanted to capture.
Thank you so much, Arlene! You’ve described exactly what I feel when photographing the Atlantic. It’s all about observing, anticipating and waiting for that brief moment when everything comes together. And you’re absolutely right — the ocean never gives us much time to capture it!
That anticipation you're naming, it's not wasted time even when nothing comes together. The Atlantic teaches you to see what's already there while you're waiting for what might arrive.
Great capture and timing! I know how hard it is to get these kind of shots. You know in your mind's eye what it should look like but then you need everything to line up in synchronicity: not only the waves, but the lighting and the seagulls and then to snap the picture - they all need to line up correctly. Kudos!
Thank you, Mike! You understand exactly what I was trying to capture. I was watching the seagulls, anticipating the next wave and keeping an eye on the changing light. Everything was moving, and I knew I only had a brief moment to bring it all together. That’s one of the things I love most about photographing the Atlantic — you can prepare, observe and wait, but nature always has the final say!