Last autumn I was with two friends at the beach west of Ronce-les-Bains in the southwest of France. A number of years before, one of these mates had visited the area and had observed beautiful sand patterns. They were created by the interaction between the sea current and the sand supply by the river from the inland. However, when we got there, nothing was left of such structures from the past. Again it turns out than one should not fix too much on one target on such a trip. Hence, better to try for something else.
After having photographed a number of sand details – the sun had set meanwhile – the partly clouded sky turned yellow-red once more. I pointed my camera with all tele I have (telelens plus two converters) at the beach and the waves beyond. Together with the necessarily stopping down, I arrived at exposure times of one to a few minutes! And then hoping for the best.
If you take a look at the image, the first impression is that of a beach with peculiar clouds above. However, these are no clouds at all! One observes a sort of average wave pattern that formed during the long exposure time. An unexpected reward.