Textures of the tide: Abbi Hughes at Porthtowan
Among Porthtowan’s rugged cliffs, tidal pools and golden sweep of sand, there’s a world of detail that often goes unseen. Beneath the rolling surf and alongside the timeworn rock formations, textures tell stories of the sea. For ocean photographer Abbi Hughes, these textures are her muse.
A life in the water
“I am an ocean-based photographer living down in Cornwall. I work as an underwater photographer, taking surf photos and underwater dive photography”.
“I’m also an RNLI crew member for Falmouth RNLI lifeboat station,” Abbi explains.
Image credit: Gina Goodman
Following the light
Abbi’s lens has been drawn to Porthtowan Beach in recent weeks, where geology and water meet in dramatic fashion.
“I’ve spent a lot of time focusing on textures in nature, looking at the incredible rock formations down here as well as the beautiful ocean. The crystal-clear waters on the north coast are amazing and there’s incredible surf alongside the brilliant sea pool that you can find.”
Her approach is rooted in light. “I just love following light. I love early mornings, late evenings, golden hours, and just finding the most beautiful light through water.”
The challenge and the thrill
Working in water brings its own unpredictability. “Some of the challenges of photographing in water are you’ve got so many elements coming at you from all angles. You’ve got sea life, surfers, but that’s what makes it really exciting for me.” It’s this layered, shifting environment that fuels Abbi’s work, where every texture tells a story and no two shots are ever the same.
Beneath the surface
When she’s not behind the camera, Abbi spends her time surfing and snorkelling, continuing her exploration of the sea’s textures from another perspective. “A lot of the time, people think it’s really dark and murky and there’s nothing to see under the sea, and in fact it’s so colourful. Our marine life in the UK is amazing and the seaweeds are just an incredible habitat to swim around in.”
At Porthtowan, with its powerful waves, tidal pools and wild cliffs, Abbi reveals a different way of seeing: a world defined by textures of tide and stone, of water and light.
Abbi’s gallery:
Your Beach. Found
From the feel of the sand underfoot to the anticipation as you near the sea, your beach is the one that stays with you. Find your beach with the Beach Match Quiz.
Beach Match Quiz