Sea Change is an eye-opening comparative series by photographer Michael Marten that reveals how visually different specific landscapes along the British coast are, dependent on whether they are at high or low tide. The collection, originally presented as diptychs, have been turned into gifs, making it all the more apparent how each environment transforms with the alternating rise and fall of the sea.

The coupled images in the series are each taken approximately 6 to 18 hours apart to truly capture the considerable contrast in scenery. The photographer says, “The tide comes and goes twice each day, but even when one spends a whole day by the sea it's easy to miss how dramatic tidal change can be.”

While one frame shows a bustling beach filled with sunbathers and families enjoying their time out together on the sand, its accompanying scene is of a vast expanse of water, as though a beach never even existed in that spot. It is a dramatic eye-opener that enlightens viewers, showing the cyclical nature of tides, while simultaneously visualizing an ominous change.

Marten says of his series, “I hope these photographs will increase awareness of natural change, of landscape as dynamic process rather than static image… The pictures can also serve as a warning of climate change. The tide floods in and quickly recedes, but rising sea levels will flood our shores and not recede for thousands or millions of years.”

Marten has released a book by the same name, which is available to purchase worldwide through his website.











Gif credit: awkwardsituationist

Michael Marten website

via [Visual News, Brekend]