From long exposure seascapes to astrophotography by the water’s edge, this collection is where it all began for my landscape photography. And although some of the coastlines have become more exotic, that sense of exhilaration as the waves rush over my feet remains the same as the day I began.
A glorious sunrise at the Bay of Fires. From giant boulders to pristine sands to sapphire waters, the coastline is simply stunning. A gem during the day. And a delight at first light.
After my hopes for a grand seascape fizzled out, I set out in search of other frames among these crumbling basalt columns. I was soon mesmerised by this smaller scene where each surging wave became ignited in a golden glow. It’s been a valuable reminder to soak up moments as they are—not how we might long for them to be.
I've photographed this coastline countless times. Yet this sunrise was a special one. A glorious light show shared with my mother and grandmother.
Soaring high over the ancient coastline of the Tasman Peninsula. From front to back sunrise strikes Tasman Island, Cape Pillar and Cape Hauy.
The main 12 Apostles lookout offers sweeping views of the coast, yet there are only so many angles of the apostles before all images start to look the same. Here’s what they look like from the other side.
The Sapphire Coast of NSW is blessed with long stretches of picturesque beaches, interrupted by jagged sea stacks. Three of the most striking are Horse Head Rock, Camel Rock and Glasshouse Rocks. Each unique in their formation and surrounds, these icons of the area offer many opportunities for keen landscape photographers. Yet if you explore a little further, scenes like this await around every cove.
Australia’s Sapphire Coast is home to world-class seascape locations, like Glasshouse Rocks and Camel Rocks. But for me, both pale compared to the sheer presence of Horse Head Rock.
Only accessible at low tide, the trek to reach the sea stack calls for scrambling over jagged rocks and wading through tidal pools. But with views like this, it sure makes the 4:30am alarm unequivocally worth it.
As the river weaved out to sea, it carved these channels and islands in its wake. A tiny landscape of light and shadow set to be washed away as the next wave reclaimed the land.
A fierce sunrise over Bombo Quarry near Kiama. With the waves rushing up the channel, I positioned the camera down close to the slick boulders to capture the water snaking back out to sea.
With the summer sun well-aligned down the channel, we set up close to the crashing waves and simply waited. The sky exploded with the rising sun lighting the clouds above in the most glorious glowing colours I’ve seen in some time.
It’s moments like these when the light, the waves, the scene aligns—as rare as they are—that make the tribulations of landscape photography unequivocally worth it.
A striking sunrise over Salmon Beach, WA. This long exposure is a single frame, taken handheld which allowed me to crouch down close to the incoming wave, before raising the camera as it crashed around me. While I’ve found shooting handheld more miss than hit (this was the morning’s only usable frame), sometimes the unique angles and liberty of exploring a scene tripod-free are worth it.
Boxing Day, 2019. After weeks of bushfires, smoke rolled across the land, lingering out over the sea. With the incoming tide rushing into the cave, the sun ignited the haze, transmuting it into this golden glow.
This summer will remain with me, and many other Australians, for years to come. A sombre reminder of the beauty and terror of our natural world.
A golden morning out on Zenith Beach near Port Stephens. I ventured out with my young cousin for his first long exposure session, the high tide rushing around our feet. A cracking morning all round.
Fading light breaking through the seastack spires of New Zealand’s remote West Coast.
A vivid sunrise over the rugged Minnamurra coast.