Jacek Czajkowski, Shroud of the Ocean (PLACES 2026)

In this frame, I was looking for something more than just the movement of waves—I was looking for texture and contrast. I was captivated by how the dense sea foam gently drapes over the hard, sharp rocks, resembling a white, intricately woven fabric. Black-and-white photography allowed me to pull out every single detail of this display: the softness of the water colliding with the rawness of the stone, and the deep shadows hidden in the crevices. I wanted the viewer to forget for a moment that they are looking at water, and instead see an organic, almost painterly image. This is my attempt to freeze the fleeting poetry of the elements.

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.