Lens Artists #367 – Everyone Should See This

lens-artists, Photography

When I think about the ocean, I can’t help but feel a rush of emotions. It’s this vast expanse that holds so many mysteries and beauty, evoking awe and humility in me. The ocean feels like this incredible force—both calming and powerful at the same time. There’s something magical about standing by the shore, where you can hear the waves crash and feel that deep connection to nature and time itself.

Waves crashing against rocky shores, showcasing the beauty and power of the ocean.

Joanne is this weeks host. Her challenge post is here. Her request is to share some photographs of things/people/places that are inspiring and that you want to share. This is my approach to it. Suggestion: all the images in the galleries can be enlarged by a click.

It’s hard to believe that around 60-70% of people around the world have never seen the ocean in person. That means over 2.5 billion folks haven’t experienced the delight of watching the waves or feeling the sand between their toes! For many, it’s just not possible—living in landlocked areas, dealing with financial constraints, or simply not having the chance to travel can keep them away from those tranquil blue waters. It’s a reminder of how important it is to ensure everyone gets a taste of the ocean’s beauty.

I saw this firsthand in India when local people from the countryside came to see the ocean for the first time for the New Year celebration. They had no idea of the power of the water and did not know how to swim, yet the sheer joy radiating from the women, children, but mostly young men was a sight to behold. They were playing on the beach as you usually see children play, building sandcastles and chasing each other in the waves lapping at their feet. The lifeguards were driving up and down the beach giving warnings not to enter if you don’t know how to swim. Also, the amount of selfies and photos 😀 one can guess how many…

The ocean has inspired so many, including some amazing writers. Robert Wyla captures this perfectly when he says, “The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul.” That resonates with me! And Rainer Maria Rilke echoes similar feelings, sharing his experience of going to the sea when life gets heavy: “When anxious, uneasy and bad thoughts come, I go to the sea, and the sea drowns them out with its great wide sounds, cleanses me with its noise, and imposes a rhythm upon everything in me that is bewildered and confused.” Doesn’t that just sound soothing?

A serene moment by the ocean, capturing the tranquility and beauty of the shoreline.

I also love Christy Ann Martine’s lines, “Dance with the waves, move with the sea, let the rhythm of the water set your soul free.” It speaks to the joy of immersing ourselves in the ocean’s embrace. It reminds me that there’s this beautiful freedom found in the rhythm of the ocean.

Even if some haven’t been able to experience it firsthand, its essence resonates in our hearts and connects us all. The ocean isn’t just about its waves and shores; it’s about healing, inspiration, and that profound sense of belonging we all seek. So here’s to all the adventures waiting at the ocean!

I cannot end this post without sunset from by the ocean

Last week, you were so creative with your responses to Tina’s challenge! I love how different takes were on that theme. For Joanne’s challenge this week, make sure to link your post to hers and don’t forget to throw in the “lens-artists” hashtag so we can easily spot your post in the Reader.

Next week, John returns with a new challenge. It will go live at noon EST in the USA. Tune in to find out more about the challenge then. Please see this page to learn more about the Lens-Artists Challenge and its history.

44 thoughts on “Lens Artists #367 – Everyone Should See This”

  1. This is such a beautiful and heartfelt reflection! 🌊💙 You’ve captured the essence of the ocean perfectly—the way it can be both gentle and fierce, soothing yet overwhelming in its power. I love how you describe the shoreline as a place of deep connection with nature and time itself—it truly feels timeless when we stand there, listening to the waves.

  2. Oh Ritva, you make the ocean sound and look so inviting. What a beautiful post. While I like to sit and view the ocean, especially rocky shorelines, I don’t like the salt water or sand. I feel so fortunate that I can travel 2 hours and visit the ocean. Your images are beautiful.

  4. A terrific ode to the earth’s oceans Ritva with some wonderful images of its power and beauty. The images from India are amazing – I had no idea so many people have never seen the ocean. We are very spoiled here on Kiawah. I also didn’t realize that sea and ocean were not interchangeable terms. Your post reminded me of an incident many, many years ago. My parents hosted family friends my brothers and I had never met. Their young son commented that he’d never seen the ocean and I was dumbstruck that such a thing was possible. Apparently it’s not only possible but much more prevalent than I realized. Live and learn as they say.

  5. Ritva Wow! These are such beautiful images of the ocean. You have expressed exactly how I feel about the ocean. There really is something magical about standing on a beach, smelling the salt air and listening to the waves. I can’t agree with you more – everyone should see an ocean!

      1. Ritva, I often think of the vastness of the ocean when I stand on the beach here looking east. There is nothing between me and Africa except the Atlantic Ocean. Yes, it is powerful.

  6. Ritva, you’re preaching to this choir about the ocean. >grin< These ocean views tripped that longing in me to return to the sea… something I'm anticipating in just a few short weeks. Your post made me with for the time to go faster… not that it doesn't go fast enough for me already.

  7. It’s hard to imagine that 60-70% of people around the world have never seen the ocean in person. Your photos are beautiful and really capture how you feel about being by the sea, especially the movement of the waves. I really like all the quotes you included too.

  8. Your photos and passion for the ocean are very compelling Ritva. I’m grateful to have grown up going to the beach most summers, and I do miss the ocean living inland for the last 30 years.

  9. That statistic about how many people haven’t see the ocaean is astonishing – but believable when you think about it. But you’ve shown us so many powerful images here (including a few which won’t display for me), that togeher with your words, you have here a perfect piece to show someone who hasn’t had an ocean in their life.

    1. Thanks, I am sorry you cannot see them, I don’t know why. I think most of my followers have seen the ocean 😀 but I tried to do something else than show places I visited…and to choose would be hard. Took an easy way out

  10. Oh, I love oceans! Thank you for this beautiful post, Ritva. Your photos capture the power, beauty, and elegance of the world’s oceans. I love so many, I have a difficult time picking favorites. But your very last image is great; there are such cool contrasts and blends among the colors of ocean, sand, and sky. And I love the wildness and the contrast between the water and the bushes on land in number 6 of the very first gallery (the wide format photo). Thank you for a great response to this week’s challenge!

  14. We are one. The sea reminds us of that. So many spectacular photos…i especially love the two boys in the surf in India.

  16. Great approach to this Ritva. I love the ocean, and have seen it too many times to count. I thought that interesting about how many people have never seen the ocean. I tried to find out for Australia, but it seems because most people live along the coasts that the percentage would be very small. Great images.

    1. Thanks Leanne, I read as over 85% of Australians live within 50 kilometers of the coast. However, the number is not zero, and it’s possible some people in remote inland towns, such as in the Outback, have never seen it. Don’t know if this true though.

  20. Absolutely beautiful images! I can agree wholeheartedly there is pure magic by the water! My husband and I were just in Cape Breton Nova Scotia celebrating our anniversary and before we left I set the intention this would be a healing journey, being that close to the water, waves, sand, rocks was so healing!

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