synopsis
Richly colored photographs that capture the nostalgia and vulnerability of Britain's seaside resorts. From Blackpool to Brighton, the pastel hues, faded arcades, and worn carpets of these coastal towns evoke a particular kind of nostalgia. With the shifting 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. Shot over more than a decade since 2009, Rob Ball has documented over 35 coastal towns. His images bear witness to a unique culture that risks disappearing forever.
photos of the book
technical information
Hoxton Mini Press
2019
112 pages
dimensions : 29.4 x 24.4 cm
2019
112 pages
dimensions : 29.4 x 24.4 cm
about Rob Ball
Rob Ball is a photographer and Reader in Photography at Canterbury Christ Church University. Over the past fifteen years, he has specialised in photographing coastal resorts across Britain and beyond, exploring their evolving identities, architecture, and communities. His work examines how seaside environments—often built for entertainment and escape—are transformed over time, particularly through seasonal shifts and socioeconomic change.
Ball has published multiple photobooks, including Dreamlands, Coney Island, Silent Coast, Benidorm, and Arcade Carpets. His Benidorm monograph offers a nuanced portrait of the Spanish resort—often deemed the birthplace of mass tourism—photographed over eighteen months with an empathetic and unjudmental eye. His exhibitions include Dreamlands at The Photographers’ Gallery, Seaside: Photographed at Turner Contemporary, and Splash! A Century of Swimming and Style at the Design Museum. His work is held in the collections of the National Portrait Gallery, Victoria and Albert Museum, Martin Parr Foundation, and University of the Arts.
find / buy the book
book in my collection
Hoxton Mini Press
2019
112 pages
dimensions : 29.4 x 24.4 cm
1st edition
2019
112 pages
dimensions : 29.4 x 24.4 cm
1st edition