Lulworth Cove (Nightscapes)

‘Nightscapes’ captures the beauty of the sea at night, using long exposures to soak up light as time passes. I wish I could say the project was inspired by childhood memories of growing up by the coast, but sadly, the ocean is a long way from Dudley. Perhaps it’s this infrequency of seaside visits that fuels my sense of nostalgia for the sea. Instead of being a constant in my life like it can be for some, the memories of rushed seaside day-trips or rainy UK beach holidays are what conjure visceral feelings of nostalgia for me. 

Nightscapes presents a paradox to my seaside experiences; depicting the ocean in the stillness of night when time feels abundant and tranquillity reigns. The resulting imagery records passing of time as light, movement of the water and the occasional ship found their way through the open shutter. This blending of elements creates a painterly quality, revealing serene and surprisingly vibrant nightscapes that would not otherwise be visible to the human eye. Each photograph was made using exposures lasting between 45 minutes to 3 hours. Perhaps it isn’t coincidental that during this time (while resisting the light-polluting lure of my phone) this project gave me the perfect chance to reflect on my seaside memories; reconnecting to where this all started.