Water Studies 20 – 27 (Rhossili Ripples & Reflections 082016)

Water Studies 20 – 27

This is the fifth in an extended series of photographic studies of the naturally occurring patterns of reflected light on shallow seawater ripples lapping ashore at Rhossili Bay on the Gower Peninsula in South Wales. Each has been digitally re-coloured and enhanced to emphasise the ever-changing designs without altering the patterns themselves.

The patterns change with every incoming and outgoing wave, with each new gust of wind, and from location to location within a very few metres. Sometimes the ripples depend on a smooth run ashore over sand. Other designs are generated when the waves bounce back from obstacles. The patterns change so quickly that capturing them clearly with a camera like mine is challenging. You frame the shot and press the button but can never predict what image will be captured.

Each newly-created tiny water surface indentation acts as a distorting and magnifying lens for the reflected and refracted sunlight.