Kent may be the Garden of England, but its coast has a beauty all of its own and wave photographer Ross Andrews is on a mission to capture it - no matter how long it takes.

Waiting for the perfect wave is a patient man’s game. So it’s lucky that Thanet’s Ross Andrews has plenty.

Having grown up on the Kent coast, the laidback life of the ocean and its waves, alongside the thrill of the surf, are in his blood. And the passion and affection he feels for that coast is evident in his photography.

But it can take hours, days or even years for that split second of liquid gold which brings the perfect image.

“Sometimes you can wait four or five months for swell to come in,” he said.

“You’re waiting for the high tide that comes. I often get up planning that the waves will come, and they just don’t.”

Some of his atmospheric images can take more than two years to capture, with a very small window of opportunity when all the elements come together.

“It’s about combining photography, art and science whilst battling the elements of the sea, often at its most fierce.”

Ross fully immerses himself in the sea for his art and photography.

To capture the waves in full force and get the images most of us can only see in films and photographs, it involves getting right in there.

Ross uses a camera cased in a cast aluminium waterproof housing from Australia-based Salty Surf Housings strapped to his arm as he battles the waves and elements.

He said: “I have always loved the sea. From a young age I did many water sports - any excuse to be in.

“Now I spend my days capturing it through a lens. It’s exhilarating, the shore break crashing over me and trying to capture that split second in time.

“Its natural beauty and the ever changing colours and light make each shot unique.”

COASTAL BEAUTY

It may not be Surfers Paradise, Hawaii or Cornwall, but many may not be aware of the beauty and scope of the east Kent coast but Ross’ images could make you think again.

“It changes every day,” he said. “You get a different variation in the skies, the sea and the sand. It looks different all the time.”

If you’re not convinced, you don’t need to don a wet suit to find out... Ross’ latest exhibition, Motion, comes to Margate’s Pie Factory gallery this weekend.

Ross’ latest images will be showcased from Friday, March 22 until Tuesday, April 2, bringing an up-close perspective of the ocean waves captured within a split second and an unfamiliar view from within the waves.

Motion is at the Pie Factory in Broad Street, Margate from 10am to 5.30pm daily. More info at piefactorymargate.co.uk