The magazine of the photo-essay
June 2019 back issue
“A free, really high quality photo-essay magazine. Fabulous!”
Stephen Fry. British actor, writer and film maker
by Rob Ball
From Blackpool to Brighton, the pastel colours, faded arcades and worn-out carpets
of British coastal towns evoke a particular nostalgia. With the changing tides of the
British political landscape, these traditional resorts appear fragile and some are
falling into disrepair. Nevertheless, some are thriving (thanks to regeneration funds),
and all retain a special charm and retro appeal.
Shooting for more than a decade since 2009, Rob Ball has documented over 35
coastal towns. His images serve as a record of a unique culture that is at risk of
disappearing forever.
‘These pictures are less about a point of view, or an event, than an observation. They are
softly nuanced but precise. Serially calm but suddenly astonishing.’
- Lucy Davies, from the introduction
