The tidal mudflats of the East Kimberley region of Western Australia are vast. This area has branches out to the Timor Sea, and it experiences some of the most extreme tidal movements in the world. During the Wet (rainy) Season, it is almost entirely under water. But during the Dry Season (June-July), the excess water drains out to the ocean and as the mud dries, these incredible patterns become visible. The white, salty branches of the tributaries stand in stark contrast to the brown mud, drawing comparisons to veins or leaves or branches or feathers. It’s Nature’s artwork. I took this photo on my first ever helicopter shoot. I didn’t have a clue as to what settings to use and I was distracted by the wind in my face and the tears in my eyes and my hair whipping around all over the place. When I finally looked at the photos on my computer, I realised that most of them were completely useless, but this one – this one was a keeper. It seems almost impossible that such delicate, intricate artwork could be the result of natural forces. I was in awe. Four years on, my strike rate has improved significantly and I’m still hiring helicopters to photograph the intertidal zones of the Kimberley where I live. The thrill of flying, combined with the challenge of shooting from a moving vehicle and the opportunity to photograph from this fascinating perspective have proved to be utterly addictive, and I’m sure I’ll be doing this for many years to come. [+]

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  • Selected on Jan 12, 2017
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Jan 28, 2019

I took this photo on my first ever helicopter shoot, 4 years ago. I didn’t have a clue as to what settings to use and I was distracted by the wind in my face and the tears in my eyes and my hair whipping around all over the place. When I finally looked at the photos on my computer, I realised that most of them were completely useless, but this one – this one was a keeper. It seems almost impossible that such delicate, intricate artwork could be the result of natural forces. I was in awe. I caught the aerial photography bug, and now I absolutely love hiring a helicopter to capture the spectacular shapes and patterns of this incredible part of Australia.


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