Tropical sunset in Vietnam by Ian Schepers

On a warm evening on Phú Quốc island in Vietnam, everything fell into place. The sea was calm, the sky was slowly turning from gold to deep red and the sun hung over the horizon like a burning eye. At just the right moment, my friend stood exactly in line with that light, her silhouette sharply outlined against the glow of the setting sun. The palm trees subtly framed her, like a natural frame within the image.

What struck me while taking this picture was the almost cinematic calm that hung over the beach. As if the world stood still for a moment. The colour gradients in the sky and the reflection on the water gave the scene something soft, while the dark silhouettes provided contrast and depth. For me, this balance between light and shadow makes the image powerful and serene at the same time.

I deliberately chose a low viewpoint and a wide composition, so that as a viewer you feel like you are there yourself. The palm trees on the left and right are just out of focus enough to direct attention to the centre, while at the same time saying something about the location: a tropical, quiet place far away from the crowds.

The warm colours of the sunset combine nicely with light or natural materials in your interior. Think wood, linen or sand-coloured walls. But it can also provide a powerful and atmospheric contrast in a more modern setting.