Calgardup Brook Redgate Beach tidal patterns Margaret River Region

Calgardup Brook Redgate Beach is close to Margaret River and is a popular location for learning to surf. It lies just south of the beach, snaking its way behind marram covered sand dunes as it makes a path towards the Indian Ocean.

At the brook’s mouth, tidal patterns form and sea birds search for food amongst the flotsam. The sand constantly calves into new shapes and forms under the forces of opposing water currents and occasionally a large wave will erase all surface detail.

Print Availability

Calgardup Brook Redgate Beach tidal patterns is available for purchase online. Calgardup Brook Redgate Beach tidal patterns is a 40 x 50cm silver gelatin print, hand-printed by the author. It is dry-mounted onto 100% cotton museum board, then window-mounted behind a clear acrylic sheet. Framed in graphite tone aluminium it is ready to hang. Outer dimensions 74.5 x 61.5cm. Limited edition of 10, signed and numbered. Freight and insurance within Australia included.

Watching the creation of the tidal patterns, then their obliteration is mesmerizing. It is almost like a form of mediation as shapes form and disappear with the ebb and flow. I know in the few minutes it took to set up my tripod and camera the composition had changed before my eyes.

Finally with my image composed, I made some quick meter readings and set the camera aperture and shutter speeds. I carefully removed the film back’s dark slide. Gently pressing on the shutter release cable, I listened to the half second whirring noise as the shutter fired.

As I replaced the dark slide, protecting the exposed film I heard a “plop”. The edge of the sand had been undercut by the fast-moving water and it had calved. The composition I had just exposed on film had changed yet again. About hand made silver prints.