Beaches

This beautiful sand island rests in the Great Barrier Reef, reasonably close to Cairns.

Taken from a helicopter as we flew over the reef, our pilot stopped and touched the skids down on Sandy Cay for us. I took this image almost straight afterwards, as the shallow waters of the reef surrounding the island pop light and dark blues, contrasted with the super white sands.

I hope you enjoy this peaceful part of Australia. 

After a full on day in my Gallery, I was pumped to stop talking about my artworks with people and get out and capture one!

This was my 4th attempt to get a nice Redhead sunset, each previous attempt foiled by nature, people or my own forgetfulness (Apparently I need a tripod to shoot).

I had really high hopes for this evening, there was a strong wind, and interesting cloud formation. I had hoped to get a nice vertical panorama with beautiful lit up clouds overhead.

As sometimes happens though, nature has its own intentions, and I just have to roll with it. This soft cloud glow was the best of the night, as the sun sank into a dense cloud bank before it really had a chance to bring much colour to the clouds.

I used the opportunity to get some muted sand and water colours, brought together by these incredible rock formations and the surf lifesaving tower. The quick moving clouds created a nice soft sky for the tower to stand against.

Deep in the restoration area of the famous Stockton Sand Dunes, this tree has survived alone on its Dune.

4WD access only gets you so far, before the no driving restoration area. I reached the edge about 20 minutes before sunset and commenced my hike in to this lone tree that we spotted from the beach. It was a hard slog through the sand, and I only just managed to get to the dune in time as the sky lit up in an amazing display.

Sometimes you just get lucky and this night was one of those. I tried several different compositions, and struggled with the strong wind blowing the tree branches around, preventing a sharp shot. I hope you enjoy this simple, pastel representation of the Stockton Sand Dunes near Newcastle, Australia.

The Cliffs of Casuarina Coastal Reserve, get kissed by the last rays of the setting sun. Swell action gives the water in front of me an ethereal pattern.

I had one eye out for crocodiles and one on the scene in front of me, my tripod was sinking with every wave and the sunset was fading fast. It was an intense time trying to stay calm and composed while having so much go on around me, that I couldn't control, affecting my shot.

I have been trying to capture this overview of Merewether for many years now, coming back regularly, hoping for the perfect sunset to set the blue colours of the pools off.

I finally captured one recently. The composition requires some dangerous climbing, but it's the only way to get to what I wanted. I set up, perched on a rock ledge on the cliff and waited, patiently hoping that sunset would be a beautiful one, and not a fizzer.

Dark clouds were coming over from inland and I was extremely worried that it would block the setting sun.

I waited it out in the cold wind, sitting cross legged under my camera and tripod. Just as I was getting ready to call it an evening, the clouds on the horizon began to pick up these beautiful pink colours.

To me this image represents life in Merewether for many Novocastrians, as this is how many spend their weekends and days.

This image was a lucky capture that I shot while leading a photography workshop. I spent my afternoon teaching others how I go about my photography captures and after helping and setting the participants up with their compositions I decided it was my turn to have some fun. So while jumping between participants and my own camera I spent a few minutes on this one.

I love the contrast of day and night, whist showing life in Newcastle city, reflected in the Canoe Pool at Newcastle Baths.

All that remains of the Cat Bay Jetty on this famous part of Phillip Island, in Victoria, Australia.

This long exposure art image smoothes the motion of the water into calmness, lending a sense of serenity to the daylight image.

Ahhh those summer beach days, this shot of Dixon Park Beach, Merewether captures Newcastle in the Summer holidays.

I absolutely love everything this image shows; the white sandy beach, the turquoise blue water, the gentle waves, the beach goers enjoying the sunshine, it just makes my heart sing and happiness burst out. 

A beautiful pastel vertical panorama image that sweeps you off your feet into the serenity of the ocean. Taken as sunset glows behind, the aqua water shines through the waves as they roll onto the shore.  

I tend to find myself drifting off to an unknown world when I look into the image. I wonder where I can go next in my life journey and what is on the horizon for me and my family. I can feel the sand washing out from under my toes as I sink into the image.

I created this artwork to bring some Newcastle peace and calmness to my space and remind me the future is beyond tomorrow, it is all the days ahead.

This playful image shows sun lovers basking in Summer at one of Newcastle’s most famous beaches, Merewether. The waves rolling in over the sand produce a beautiful intense blue that contrasts perfectly with the light yellow of the sand.

This image is a snapshot of summer, watching surfers and swimmers taken from above.

When creating this image I was aiming to bring warmth, happiness and sunshine to any space through it, whether it be a loungeroom, bedroom, bathroom or office.

I have spent many mornings and afternoons bodyboarding the Newcastle coastline and each time I look into this artwork, I am caught up in a wave and find myself reminiscing the many good times the Newcastle beaches made available.

Taken at the gorgeous Fingal Bay Spit, in the Nelson Bay region of NSW, this image brings to mind the things that the two separate bodies of water, constantly clashing and joining together can tell each other, and how it speaks of two people talking and sharing ideas, with the sandbar in between representing our individual understandings and beliefs. 

It shows time continuing to pass and how change and movement are required, bringing growth and development. It correlates with bringing peace and happiness to individuals and groups of people in varying situations, whilst keeping some stability and flexibility like the sand.