A stunning new book shows us Portland in a whole new light - from the sea. Joanna Davis takes a look at photographer Steve Belasco’s unique portrayal.

'Portland From The Sea' is the second book by marine photographer and sailor, Steve Belasco, a follow up to his hugely successful 2015 publication, 'Dorset From The Sea', which has currently sold more than 4,000 copies.

A professional photographer and a former photojournalist for the Dorset Echo, Steve Belasco first saw Portland in 1969, after reading Thomas Hardy's 'The Well-Beloved' and showing an interest in Hardy's fabled 'Isle of Slingers.' His father took him to see the famous isle and the rest is history.

Now a resident of the picturesque village of Portesham, he works on Portland and devotes much of his time to photographing Dorset's coastline from his boat, Strange Weather.

The book itself is a wonderful portfolio of beautifully captured photos of Portland from around the island's wildly dramatic coastline. Divided into geographic and locational chapters from an almost complete circumnavigation of the island, the book captures not only the unique geography, from the mightly Blacknor Cliff and the iconic Pulpit Rock, but also the legacy of the Portland's residents through the centuries and up to the present day, from limestone quarrying to fishing, and some marvellous shots of the world famous Portland Bill lighthouse.

From the west side of the island, the conurbations of Chiswell and Underhill form a backdrop to the harsh and storm-shaped Chesil Beach and the promenade at Chesil Cove. Here, the fruits of the residents labours meet the natural wonders of Hallelujah Bay and Wallsend Cove and their unique rockfalls and landforms.

From the Bill to the south, the fishing and tourism industries interact closely with nature's inhabitants. Indeed, the Bill is a great place to spot seabirds and seals, and even pods of bottlenose dolphins can be seen at certain times.

From the east side, the wondrous Church Ope Cove is visible, overlooked by the decaying remains of the 15th-century Rufus Castle and the impressive Pennsylvania Castle, built for John Penn, the Governor of Portland in the 19th century. The remains of old cranes are dotted along this part of the island, and you may even be lucky enough to spot the majestic Shag, a seabird which makes its home here.

From the north side, the former naval accommodation blocks of Atlantic House dominate the coastline. Here, we find Castletown, the famous local staging ground for the D-day landings where the fateful stories of so many brave soldiers began. A stone's throw away, the sites of modern commerce and hospitality meet Tudor history, with Henry VIII's Portland Castle, built to protect the harbour, an imposing presence amongst the hubbub of activity.

Many photos also capture the island's unique contribution to British sport. Portland Harbour for instance is still a popular location for water sports, such as windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding and sailing. Indeed, the National Sailing Academy has produced sailors of Olympic pedigree, with Tokyo 2020 gold medallists Stuart Bithell and Dylan Fletcher based here.

Visually, the book is stunning, and the photos provide annotations which allow the book to be used as an ideal accompaniment to any local guidebook for those who wish to explore Portland, or simply for anyone who wishes to enjoy the wonders of this historic island from the comfort of their own living room.

Portland From the Sea is available from the website stevebelasco.net for £14.99 including postage.