“The Calm Sea” – The story behind this photo

That morning was special. I decided to join my dad for fishing, something he does regularly after morning prayers. I felt like going along this time. So, with excitement building up inside me, I happily joined my dad on our small boat in the calm waters of our island, Bilehdhoo, in the Maldives.

As we sailed out, the gentle rocking of the boat and the salty breeze made it feel peaceful. Soft waves gently tapped against our boat, making a soothing sound.

It was early, just as the sun was starting to rise, spreading a warm, golden light across the sky. Everything seemed quiet and still, as if waiting for the day to begin. I was amazed by the beauty around us—the calm sea, the colorful sky, and the feeling of peace.

I had my camera with me and felt a strong urge to capture this moment of tranquility. I positioned myself to include the vast ocean and the silhouettes of fishing boats in the frame.

www.instagram.com/p/C4sXz-HRMb1/

My trusted X100V was my companion for the day—a compact camera that packed a punch, perfect for capturing spontaneous moments like this.

I adjusted my camera settings to capture the colors and textures just right. I chose a moderate aperture of f/5.0 for clarity, a shutter speed of 1/250s to freeze the boat’s movement, and an ISO setting of 400 to balance detail and noise.

After taking the photo, I only made a few edits to enhance its natural beauty. I usually use VSCO for subtle edits to set a mood, keeping the photo as authentic as possible. Sometimes, I use Lightroom to achieve the same mood for my posts.

To me, this picture is more than just a snapshot. It’s a reminder of the beauty of my home island and the simple joys of island life.