Have you noticed how, as you approach the coast, the suburban terrain changes, the light changes, the air changes? I believe the residents are distinctive too. I confess I have no interest in the tourists, the kiss-me-quick merchandising or fast-food. That photographic genre has been covered well by others. Instead, my eye and camera fall on the ‘locals’ – at work, at rest, all ages, all ethnicity. With authenticity, I hope.

​

​

 

In 2022, I published People On The Edge which depicted the harsh austerity playing-out on forgotten seaside communities.  In 2025, that economic pressure has not left the towns. You will see a little of that in this eBook. However, I found new themes too. People ‘soldiering on’ at their work despite the economy. People showing the dry humour for which the UK is justly renowned. People cycling through their daily routines on autopilot. People escaping within their heads using hobbies and interests. Unemployed and retired people filling the long hours of each unproductive day. Whatever, their walk of life, I avoided simply organising them on some ‘around Southern England’ tour. Instead, I paired them – sometimes by theme, sometimes because they presented such an awkward mis-match!