Best Photos of Wollongong Ocean Pools
John Vaartjes: Capturing the Soul of Wollongong's Ocean Pools
A massive thankyou to John Vaartjes for sharing his beautiful photos of Wollongong Ocean Pools. They are some of the most stunning we’ve seen. He’s also been kind enough to share his thoughts on his photographic processes and what photographing these beautiful pools means to him. Please check out his Instagram @gongimages and give him a follow. Hope you enjoy gazing at his gorgeous shots as much as we do.
For those who live by the sea, the ocean isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a living, breathing entity that shapes daily life and cultural identity. In Wollongong, this connection is particularly strong, amplified by the iconic ocean pools that dot its coastline. Through the lens of local photographer John Vaartjes, known to his Instagram followers as @gongimages, the raw beauty of these aquatic havens are brought to life. With a career spanning five decades, John’s passion for capturing the Illawarra’s coastal charm is as deep and constant as the waters he so expertly photographs.
A Lifetime Through the Lens: From Film to Digital in the Gong
John’s photographic journey began at the tender age of 16, a passion that has endured through the evolving landscape of film, slides, and now, the digital age. “I’m 66 now, so I’ve enjoyed photography for 50 years,” he shares. His roots are firmly planted in Wollongong, having always called The Illawarra home. This proximity to the ocean wasn’t just a convenience; it was a natural magnet for his artistic eye. “The natural beauty of the coast was always an obvious choice of subject,” John explains. “Living so close to the ocean was always an incentive to capture the ocean’s many moods and capture it through sunrises, sunsets, storms and large surf.”
His Instagram handle, @gongimages, is a testament to his deep affection for his hometown. When asked about a favourite image “from the Gong”, John pauses. It’s a tough call, as many evoke strong emotions and memories. Yet, one particular shot from his film days stands out: “One I took back in the days when I was still using film does pop into my mind when there was a large swell breaking over the breakwater at Wollongong harbour. Some young lads were on the breakwater letting the large waves hit the rock wall of the breakwater and crash over the top of them.” It’s a scene that still plays out today with big swells, a timeless local ritual he yearns to recapture with his modern gear. We’re looking forward to seeing when he gets the shot!
The Art of the Shot: Light, Composition, and a Passionate Pursuit
For John, photography is far more than just pointing and shooting. When it comes to the identifying the most crucial elements of a great photograph, lighting reigns supreme. “The lighting is probably the highest priority for me, followed by composition,” he asserts. “The light can make mundane scenes look spectacular and gives the image its overall mood.” His technical approach often leans on aperture priority, though he swiftly switches to manual in challenging lighting conditions. He also frequently “brackets shots where there is a high dynamic range in the scene,” ensuring he captures the full spectrum of light and shadow. I have no idea what any of this means, other than his photos turn out amazingly well beacuse of his technical knowledge and attention to detail.
More than just a hobby, photography is John’s “happy place.” Now retired, he has the luxury of dedicating more time to his passion. “It is what gets me out of bed in the mornings to capture the sunrise,” he shares, highlighting the intrinsic joy and purpose it brings to his daily life.
John also finds inspiration closer to home, often observing fellow local photographers on Instagram and Facebook. He’s drawn to their unique interpretations of familiar scenes, seeking out “unusual angles of common scenes and also on how they may have processed their images.” It’s a nod to the collaborative spirit within the local photography community. Lucky for us they’re often keen to share this collaborative spirit with us here at Ocean Rock Pool Consortium.
The Enduring Allure. Photos of Wollongong of Ocean Pools
Ocean pools are undeniably a hallmark of John’s portfolio, a subject he returns to time and again with evident admiration. “Ocean pools, especially around The Illawarra and Sydney area are such an integral part of the culture,” he explains. He paints a vivid picture of the daily rhythm: the regulars doing their laps before dawn, even in Winter; families congregating on scorching Summer days, revelling in the cool saltwater. “Each pool has its own character and ‘characters’ who use the pool,” he adds, hinting at the stories each location holds.
Capturing the distinct essence of each ocean pool requires a thoughtful approach. John makes it a point to visit them “multiple times in multiple conditions and in different seasons.” The shifting positions of sunrise and sunset throughout the year significantly alter how the light interacts with the pools and their surroundings. To precisely plan his shots, he utilises the “Photopills” app, a handy tool that shows him exactly “where the sun and full moon rises and sets at any time of the year.” This foresight allows him to be in the right place at the right time to highlight the pool in its best light.
The Mood and Magic of the Blue and Golden Hours
Many of John’s ocean pool photographs exude a sense of peace and tranquility, a mood he consciously aims to evoke. He particularly cherishes the predawn period, often referred to as the blue hour and golden hour, just before sunrise. “The pools are often calm and water glassy and the sky can be colourful at these times,” he describes. He also leverages his drone to capture the overall atmosphere, often finding himself in a delightful dilemma when the sky flares with colour, torn between his drone and camera. “I am always conflicted between taking images from the drone or from my camera and do try to do both,” he admits with a smile.
It’s clear John’s connection to these pools isn’t just professional; it’s personal. He fondly recalls learning to swim in Towradgi Rock Pool as a child, a place that holds a special spot in his heart. He still dips in occasionally with his grandchildren, and his daughter is even on a quest to swim in every ocean pool in Australia. A quest that sounds awfully familiar… we hope to catch up with her soon and hear all about her progress.
Favourite Conditions and the Towradgi Love Affair
For those who adore his glassy sunrise shots, John shares that while he loves all the different moods conditions can bring, he leans towards sunrise captures due to their inherent peacefulness. However, he equally relishes “capturing big surf crashing over the pools in stormy conditions,” despite the increased difficulty and risk to his gear.
When pressed for a favourite ocean pool in the Wollongong area, John doesn’t hesitate. Towradgi Rock Pool is unequivocally his top pick, photographed literally thousands of times. Its appeal is multi-faceted: its proximity to his home allows for quick dashes when conditions look promising, and its position on a point offers a clear view of the Wollongong CBD skyline, adding a unique urban element to his coastal shots. The “distinctive black rocks around it” have also provided endless photographic opportunities. Being exposed on a point, Towradgi also bears the brunt of large stormy surf, leading to some truly dynamic images.
More Than Just Water: The Cultural Heart Reflected in Photos of Wollongong Ocean Pools
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, ocean pools hold a profound cultural significance for John. He views them as “almost uniquely Australian and are a cultural hub for seaside suburbs particularly on the East Coast of Australia.” They serve as a vibrant gathering point for families, especially in Summer, and are an integral part of the daily routine for those committed to health, fitness and the wellbeing that dipping can provide. Many, including Towradgi, boast additional facilities like playgrounds, BBQs, and playing fields, making them true community hubs. “Many have kiosks to buy refreshments and all give a location to just sit, enjoy the view and breath in the salt air – It doesn’t get much better than that!” he enthuses. I have to agree, a good coffee shop nearby definitely ups an ocean pool’s position on my list of faves.
John recounts a particularly memorable, albeit challenging, experience while shooting lightning images from Towradgi Pool late one evening. With his tripod set up and the pool as a foreground, he was immersed in the spectacular scene of lightning striking out in the ocean. Suddenly, “there was a hit very close by which scared me a bit as I felt a bit exposed out there.” This jarring moment, however, served as a crucial warning: a downpour was imminent, prompting a swift retreat to safety. Luckily, no damage done, to John, or his gear!
John's Top Tips for Aspiring Ocean Pool Photographers
For anyone inspired to capture the magic of ocean pools, John offers three invaluable pieces of advice:
Always have a camera handy or nearby: “You never know when there could be something unusual or dramatic happening down at the pool.” Spontaneity can lead to the most unexpected and rewarding shots.
Go to the location multiple times of day, in multiple seasons, in multiple conditions: Understanding how light and weather transform a scene is crucial. “Lighting conditions set the mood of your photograph so seeing it in different light lets you understand when the best time might be.”
Don’t be discouraged when you don’t get the shot: Photography, especially landscape, often involves patience and perseverance. “I have missed out on thousands of shots over the years… and at the time you can feel disheartened.” However, the times when conditions align perfectly and the scene becomes spectacular “make up for all those times nothing happened.” He views these “nothing times” as valuable practice and opportunities to scout new angles or simply enjoy the fresh air.
While John’s passion lies squarely in the creation of these stunning images, he currently doesn’t sell his photographs. Many have inquired, but for now, his focus remains on the joy of shooting. However, with his wife nearing retirement and expressing interest in managing the sales side, “it may be something in the future.” For now, John Vaartrjes continues to rise with the sun, driven by the timeless beauty of Wollongong’s ocean pools, sharing his unique vision with the world, one breathtaking image at a time.
I always like to ask people if there is a song that comes to mind when they think of their favourite ocean pool, or the emotion that their relationship with the pool evokes. When I asked John, his answer was instantaneous, Paradise by Coldplay, especially when he’s in the midst of a particularly spectacular sunrise or sunset. Got to say I absolutely love this. One word that sums up all of Wollongong’s Ocean Pools. Paradise. How lucky are we to call this place home? Thanks again John for being so generous. Love your perspective.
