A supple kelp sculpture on a pastel shoreline

I am attracted by the timeless and ever changing place where the waves wash across the edge of land. On this occasion clumps of kelp presented another element - an offering from the sea.

After spending some time choosing the most photogenic, wave arranged seaweed I set up the camera with a six stop Nisi ND filter.

At first I opened the shutter for about 5 minutes but found the incoming tide was advancing too fast and kept washing the kelp out of the frame.

I reduced the time to around 2 minutes and chose the clumps furtherest from the incoming waves - but still in danger of being moved by the sea because I wanted to show the blur of the water. 

It took a few attempts but eventually I made three pictures where the waves came close enough to wash over the sand in the background but not so close as to move the subject during the exposure.

The movement you can see on the edges of the kelp is due to the strong nor'easter blowing that afternoon - one more player in the complexity and beauty of the shoreline.

Cheers,

Paul

Follow me on Instagram @lightmoods

Paul Foley

Paul Foley is an Australian landscape and fine art photographer who believes a photograph isn't real until you can touch it.

Photography expresses his fascination with light and shadow. His eclectic collection of images reflects an inquisitive nature and constant search for interesting light.

After a 35-year career in commercial photography, Paul now explores the fleeting nature of light, free of the constraints of briefs and corporate mood boards.

Paul has been a finalist in the Galah Regional Photography Prize (2025) and National Photographic Portrait Prize (2011), selected to hang in several 'Mosman 2088' exhibitions and included in group exhibitions in Glasgow, Tokyo, Newcastle and China. He has also had individual and collaborative exhibitions in Sydney and Newcastle.

Paul lives in Newcastle, Australia.

https://www.paulfoley.com.au
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Sunset, Merewether Ocean Baths, Australia