Fine Art

Washed Up

Waste that washes up on the beach

Photo Story

Ecological photography refers to images of the natural world that highlight a particular message. These images of garbage that has washed up on the shores of Lake Erie, draw attention to the problem of plastic waste pollution in our essential waterways.

Every day I walk my dog on a beach on Lake Erie and every day I pick up waste that has washed up, blown in or has been thoughtlessly left behind. The most common items are plastic balloons, cigarette ends and water bottles. But the most disturbing are the tiny, broken pieces of plastic. These pieces were once larger items that have been broken down by the waves of the lake over time. It’s the tiny bits that kill fish and birds as the animals mistake them for food. 

It has to stop. 

We need to think about what we throw away (because there is no “away”). All garbage ends up somewhere. To read more about waste and what we can do about it, click here.

To learn more about what you can do to help save Lake Erie and the Great Lakes, click here.

Custom printing and licensing are available. Contact me directly.

Decaying golf ball in rock on a beach
Swim goggles washed up on a beach
Dr. Pepper can washed up on a beach
Wine bottle washed up on a beach
McCafe cup washed up on a beach
Tape Measure Waste washed up on a beach
Frozen movie party balloon washed up on a beach
Car Tire Waste washed up on a beach
Hockey stick washed up on a beach
Tim Hortons Plastic Cup Waste washed up on a beach
Flat Tire Fix can washed up on a beach
Hubcap in tree washed up on a beach
Plastic Chair Waste washed up on a beach
Baseball cap waste washed up on a beach
Birthday Balloon Waste washed up on a beach
Child's toy waste washed up on a beach
Smart Water Bottle waste washed up on a beach
Mother board e-waste washed up on a beach
Bud Light Beer Can washed up on a beach
Plastic fork washed up on a beach
Old gun shot shells washed up on a beach
Plastic sunglasses washed up on a beach
Metal Can Waste washed up on a beach
Gun shot shell washed up on a beach
Croc shoe washed up on a beach
Heineken Beer can washed up on a beach
Comb washed up on a beach
Party Balloon washed up on a beach
Sunglasses washed up on a beach
Tim Hortons coffee cup washed up on a beach