Ginowan Coast, Okinawa

The camera looks out over the East China Sea from the Ginowan coast on Okinawa's main island. The view is dominated by open water and a wide tropical sky, with clouds drifting across and changing the colour of the sea through the day. Low islands and the curve of the coastline help make the setting recognisable, and the evening light over the water is a regular feature of the scene.

Late afternoon and sunset are the most rewarding times, when the sky over the sea turns warm and the water reflects the changing light. Summer brings clearer tropical skies and calmer seas, while other seasons can bring cloud, wind and rougher water. Weather fronts moving across the East China Sea change the view quickly, so the scene rarely looks the same twice.

Ginowan sits on the western side of Okinawa's main island, facing the East China Sea, and is part of the urban area around Naha. The coast is used for walking, fishing and watching the sea, and the area has a long history connected to Okinawa's maritime life. The subtropical climate keeps the sea and sky mild for much of the year.