‘Beached’
The Heswall shoreline is part of the Dee Estuary which has a beach. However, before getting to the beach there is an area where boats are moored called ‘Heswall Gutter’. Here can be found a number of marsh areas with some large mud banks, where the constant interaction with the sea and its tidal effects creates a fascinating ever-changing landscape.
This collection of monochrome images explores the interaction between the natural elements and our pursuit of leisure. The moored boats each tell their own story. Some are now very neglected or abandoned, whilst others are well maintained or due for repair. Even the moorings themselves seem to have left their own imprint in the drying mud. Above all there is a tranquillity about this place. As random as things appear, repositioned many times by the tide, everything is somehow in its place.
This collection is also available as a book:
Photo Tips: As with all landscape photography there is no real short cut ...but obviously an interesting location significantly helps. Lighting is key and the times of day that this location was visited was mainly late afternoon when the light seemed to work it's magic best. The images are digital capture with the same process in Photoshop.I am very much influenced by Bill Brandt so you will see I like very high levels of contrast and dramatic skies in my work.