Double Portion

Ocean Rainbow | Maui, Hawaii

This awe-inspiring visual melody of an ocean rainbow, captured on an intense morning post-rain, is a breathtaking journey that invigorates the soul and paints an invincible smile on the face. Experience a magnificent display of nature’s palette with my fine art photo print titled “Double Portion.”

Set against the stunning backdrop of Maui, Hawaii, the image presents an imposing vertical cliff wall that plunges dramatically into the serene ocean beneath. The morning sun showers its golden rays on the rugged cliff face, highlighting its raw beauty and the contrast it forms with the ocean water that skirts its foot.

A magical double rainbow, one vivid and the other faint, forms a near-perfect arc from the upper right corner of the frame, kissing the calm ocean. It’s a moment where the forces of the Earth seem to converge in harmony, weaving a narrative of unity between sky, land, and water. The vibrant bands of the rainbow reflect on the calm sea, splashing an artist’s palette of colors on the water’s surface.

The sky, a delicate canvas of cerulean blue, is stippled with distant clouds, adding another layer of depth to this amazing view. Against this splendid tableau, the ocean’s rhythm is discernible as gentle waves, leaving behind frothy trails, caress the rocky shore.

“Double Portion” captures the eternal dance between the elements and tells a story of resilience, hope, and extraordinary beauty. It’s a feast for the eyes, an emotion for the heart, and a conversation starter for any space it adorns.

PERSONAL NOTE
I started driving while it was dark that morning. My goal was to reach a different destination. In order to get there I had to drive on a very narrow and winding dirt road. As the darkness started to lift, I could clearly see that I was heading into a dark wall of rainy clouds. Not long after it started to rain and I wondered whether this would be a wasted effort. Nevertheless, I prayed and trusted God to change the weather conditions. Therefore, I pressed forward.

After about 10 minutes of intense rain it started to clear. The rain stopped and I could see intense light on the horizon, starting to pierce the clouds. I could see that the rising sun might create a very dramatic effect. My heart started pumping and I intently looked for a place to pull over, with a good vantage point on this dirt road, which followed the Maui ocean coast.

All of a sudden, there it was – a sharp turn with a view of the ocean and the sunrise, with enough space to park my car. As I pulled over my mind was already calculating the camera settings, image composition, etc. When I opened the car door I felt a strong wind and a faint rain drizzle. Both of these would make it more challenging to take a shot, but at this point I was al;ready committed.

I quickly ran towards the car trunk to get my camera and tripod, which forced me to look directly opposite from the view that I was about to photograph. My mind was blown when I saw 2 rainbows, which had been behind me all this time, while I was completely unaware of it.

You can imagine the adrenaline rush in that moment, which poured on top of my already heightened emotional state. At this point I moved as a mad man, making the best of every precious moment to capture 2 unique images, knowing that I had only moments.

I am thankful to God for allowing me to capture both images. I named this one “Double Portion” for 2 reasons. First, because there were 2 rainbows in the sky. Second, because God graced me with 2 images from the same spot, which look very different from each other (the second image is ‘Luminous Shores’). My faith was richly and unexpectedly rewarded that morning.

This was one of those unforgettable moments, which I am fortunate to experience from time to time as a nature photographer. It is those situations when a full-blown drama is unfolding right before my eyes and I know that the moment is short. Usually there is no one else around. My mind becomes laser-focused as I rush to get the camera position and settings in place before the beauty vanishes.

The times when I manage to capture the view, I feel like I have won the lottery at the end of the intense experience. My spirit is light and I feel emotionally full. I feel the presence of God and his grace and mercy, because He allowed me to be in a place and at a time, when His glory would unfold. And I happened to be there and capture it with my camera. I find this type of reward more fulfilling and satisfying than anything material.