The pictures are meant to show what actually happens at the edge from using waterstones. They are a visual reference for what happens at the microscopic level to which we can't see with eyes alone.
1000x
5000x
8000x
10000x
I hope that these pictures serve to provide you with a better idea of what you're achieving at the edge while sharpening. I think it helps to be able to refer to this while you're working away.
*Please note - What particular stones used are not important here - it's about what happens (in general) at each grit level that's of relevance.
