From the tourists who come to escape their daily routines, to the locals who have made the beach their second home, to the salesmen who hustle to make a living, Sun, Sand & Salesmen offers a unique glimpse into the diversity and complexity of beach culture.
Through this project, I hope to challenge viewers’ preconceptions of beach life, and to offer a nuanced and multifaceted portrait of this fascinating world. Whether it’s a couple enjoying a quiet moment in the sun, or a salesman hawking his wares, every photograph in this series captures a slice of life on the beach, and invites the viewer to experience it for themselves.
More info: josephsradford.com
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I recall being inspired by Martin Parr's project "Life's a Beach" and wanted to put my own twist on it. Having grown up around this environment, I felt a strong inclination to create a project centered on it.
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99% of the project is shot from the hip; it's awkward enough walking along the beach with a massive DSLR. Putting it up to your face just draws unnecessary attention. It's a technique I've practiced for almost a decade and have become very accustomed to. Typically, I'll start at one end of the beach and walk all the way to the other end, never lifting the camera to my eye once.
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Talking about memorable experiences, I once had someone pull a knife on me during the project. It happened during one of my first outings for the series when a local caught me taking his picture. He immediately called me over and brandished a knife, threatening to stab me if I didn't delete the photograph. It was absolutely terrifying and needless to say, I didn't take any more pictures that day!
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The project wasn't created with any underlying message in mind; in this case, I let the work speak for itself.
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