Wave Riders

I took this photograph on the beach beneath the Ponte del Mare in Pescara. The scene is divided between the monumental line of the bridge and the human scale of two kite surfers preparing their gear. The composition works by contrast: the rigid geometry of steel cables and concrete arcs against the fluid, improvised forms of sport and sand.

From a technical perspective, I framed wide to capture both the vastness of the sky and the horizontal stretch of the bridge. The exposure holds well across a challenging dynamic range. The clouds retain detail without burning out, while the shadows in the foreground remain open enough to preserve texture. The colours are subdued, almost muted, which enhances the documentary feel and resists the temptation to overdramatise the moment.

The human figures anchor the photograph. They provide scale, grounding the monumental bridge within the context of leisure and daily life. Their casual stance, focused on preparing the sail, contrasts with the almost theatrical backdrop of engineered design. Without them, the image would risk becoming a study of architecture alone; with them, it turns into a record of coexistence between infrastructure and pastime.

This is not a picture of action but of anticipation. The kite still rests on the sand, yet the photograph suggests imminent movement. The bridge points forward, the clouds roll across the sky, and the surfers stand ready. The frame captures a pause before energy is released, a balance between stillness and potential.