Local resident and photographer John Callaway, gives us a glimpse into Portsmouth’s hidden places with his stunning photography of North Portsea Island.
This weekend’s foray around Portsmouth took in the northern section of the North Portsea Island Coastal Defence Scheme at Tipner Lake. Located on the west side of Portsea Island, it provides a whole new meaning to ‘living on the edge’.
The project has also introduced three tidal pools which will help encourage marine biodiversity, as well as introducing 200 square metres of locally grown saltmarsh and reinstating 150 metres of divided sedge.
So, needless to say, what follows is concrete and steel.
With the tide partially out, the mirroring of the revetment in the water seems to provide a portal from the ‘real’ world to one that is partially imagined, and almost wholly ephemeral.
Looking across towards the M275, The Sails of The South, a landmark since 2001, temporarily reflected in the almost motionless sea water.
Sometimes the concrete walls become a blank screen onto which is projected a daily shadow-play that changes with the passage of the sun.
Whilst on the walls of a nearby building, a pair of slowly fading hand prints.
Nothing is permanent…
This article was originally published on John Callaway’s website, Ideas & images from Portsmouth and beyond. You can read more of John’s writing on his website and also see his live music photography.
