Since relocating to Queensland at the beginning of 2021, I have spent a significant amount of time in South Australia running our increasingly popular 1 day photography courses in Adelaide and multi-day photo tours to the Flinders Ranges and Kangaroo Island. Every time I visit, I pack my camera gear and target a new location.

My first visit to Brighton Jetty was a complete write off. It was completely overcast, the sun never really made an appearance and the tide was so high that I was forced up onto the rocks along the foreshore. I left feeling a little defeated but even keener to try again next time I was in Adelaide.

4 months later I was back in Adelaide and headed down to Brighton again. This time it was fairly clear and there was some high cloud around. The tide was just right but by the time the sun set, unfortunately all the cloud was on the left side of the jetty and it was completely clear on the right, it just wasn't well balanced for the composition I had planned previously. I left again disappointed but knew that if I kept going back, sooner or later something special was going to happen.

The next day the sky was completely overcast but I could see the potential for the sun to break through right before sunset, so I hit the road from the city and drove down to Brighton again. I arrived an hour before sunset - the tide was perfect but it was still overcast. Now it was a waiting game to see what the light would do. Finally, just before sunset the clouds began to part on the horizon. The sky filled with beautiful pastel tones as the sun finally broke through!

There is something truly special about standing underneath a concrete jetty and watching the sky light up as waves break around the pylons. I used a long exposure to smooth the water out and create a sense of calm and tranquility. What an amazing experience!