All That Remains

On the same February morning I photographed the lighthouse at Newhaven, I discovered these fascinating remains of an old jetty extending into the harbour. The structure has been gradually claimed by the sea—wooden posts worn smooth by salt and tide, metal fixings rusted into abstract sculptures. I knew immediately this would make a powerful long exposure study.

I set up my tripod and composed the shot to lead the eye along the line of decaying posts stretching into the water. Using a 120-second exposure with a neutral density filter, I transformed the moving water into a silky, ethereal surface that contrasts beautifully with the solid, textured wood and ironwork. The morning light was soft and even, perfect for capturing the subtle details in the weathered materials.

What draws me to subjects like this is the story they tell. This jetty once served a purpose—boats tied up here, cargo was loaded and unloaded, people walked these boards. Now it's slowly returning to nature, but it remains hauntingly beautiful in its decay. Newhaven's industrial heritage is written in structures like this, reminders of a time when this harbour was busier, more vital to the community.

When you look at this photograph, I want you to feel that bittersweet combination of nostalgia and beauty—a meditation on impermanence, on how even our most solid constructions eventually yield to the patient power of the sea.