Lens-Artists Challenge #353 – Stormy

lens-artists, Photography

Join us in welcoming Beth as she takes the lead on her first challenge with the Lens-Artists team! Let’s show her our support! Her chosen topic stormy – is bound to give us beautiful and impressive images.

A stormy sky with dark clouds and rays of sunlight breaking through, illuminating the turquoise sea below.

I live in an area of the world where we do not have any big weather events; there are no hurricanes or earthquakes to disrupt our peace. Our storms, compared to those experienced in many other places, are very mild and often quite gentle. Even our winter storms are mild relative to regions that face extreme and heavy snowfall. This rarity of severe weather is seen in my amount of stormy images and I capture stormy sky I will have fun with it – that is take many shots of it as it does not happen often. My photographs for this challenge predominantly capture stunning, impressive cloudy skies. I have never been able to capture a lightning for example – not skilled enough nor have the patience to wait for the moment in the rain.

Visiting our son in Oulu last year, we took the opportunity to explore the beautiful Narrikari Beach, a spot known for its stunning views and calm atmosphere. As we walked along the sandy shore, we couldn’t help but notice the storm brewing in the distance over the Baltic Sea, the ominous clouds rolling in like a thick blanket. The sky was so impassive, dominated by dark hues that hinted at the impending tempest, creating a dramatic contrast with the beach’s tranquil setting. We stood there, feeling the cool breeze on our faces, captivated by the natural beauty and the raw energy of the approaching storm, which made that day unforgettable.

Dark skies in Key West often signal the approach of a tropical storm, casting an eerie yet captivating shadow over the vibrant landscape. This dramatic backdrop accentuates the brilliant colors of the sea. The scent of saltwater combines with the rain, creating a refreshing aroma that fills the atmosphere, while the distant rumble of thunder adds to the symphony of nature’s awe-inspiring spectacle.

A coastal scene showcasing a stormy sky with beams of sunlight piercing through the clouds, as two figures stroll along the beach in Nice, France. The color of the water against the dark clouds, I just loved watching the changing sky.

Monaco was graced by fierce, moving clouds that, in a magnificent display, chose to twirl gracefully around us. Their presence made the sky into a striking canvas, creating a dramatic backdrop for these images!

Winter, snowing – heavily – maybe even a blizzard is something that does occur in winter.

A dramatic view of a rain-soaked road, with dark storm clouds overhead and lights blurred through the wet windshield.

Thanks for this week’s challenge Beth from Wandering dawgs. Don’t forget to check out and participate in her challenge here. A special thanks goes to Sofia and everyone who participated in last week’s Mellow challenge; it was a joy to end the week with the serene moments you all contributed. Lastly, we invite you to join us next week as Anne takes the lead again on her Slow Shutter Speed site. Until then, keep on smiling.

Interested in joining our challenge? Click here .

38 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Challenge #353 – Stormy”

  2. RS, what a stunning journey through sky moods! Those rare storms, mesmerizing, seem to arrive not with fury but with flair—just enough to make cameras reach for the clouds.
    From Oulu’s Baltic whispers to Monaco’s swirling skies, every scene breathes quiet awe.
    Storms, in your captures look graceful. 🌧️🌤️

  6. Those clouds in the first few images look very ominous indeed.

    I love a stormy beach too.

  7. Wow! What an amazing gallery of stormy images! Ritva, your dark, cloudy skies are dramatic and beautiful. I love the sunlight through the clouds and all of the ones over water. The colors are amazing. I’ve never been able to capture lightening either!

  9. To have stormy skies only away from home is a marvelous problem Ritva!! Your images are wonderful especially those where the light breaks through

    1. Thank you Tina, it is a blessing. I see the news from US about the hurricane, tornados and the winter storms an i am so happy that we don’t have them even if they are great photography opportunities if brave enough

  13. The skies are pretty impressive, though, and make up for having no serious storms (which is ideal, if you ask me). I love the drama in your photos and particularly the last one, I can make up a story with that image.

  15. Ritva, it’s great that you can travel to capture those beautiful stormy sky images, and relax at home without fear of nature’s rath.

Comments are closed.