Back in March this year, I called my good friend Alex on a Thursday to organize a photo trip to Coney Island for the next Sunday. At the time I called him, spring was kind of showing up: mid-50's (~10 celcius degrees), bright sun, no clouds, no wind... the ideal weather! Three days later, when we actually took the trip, winter was back for good: 30 degrees (~0 celcius degrees) with a crazy windchill! Of course I should have known after 4 years... Winter is never ended before late April! But still, we decided to face it like warriors.
After 3 minutes on the boardwalk, my cheeks turned red (like I could not feel anything), my fingers froze (like I could not use the camera anymore). I was definitely not expecting to shoot much pictures or meet anybody there. I even thought about driving back and staying home. I was wrong...
I first met this old man, who chose not to face the Atlantic, but the empty amusement park.
Facing Little Odessa © Hugo MARTIN - 2008
I walked a little, and met the Coney Island "Polar Bears": the oldest winter bathing organization in the United States. The principle is quite simple, they go swimming into the Ocean exactly when you would not. The second picture shows one who just got out of the water. FYI, The person on the right is not one of them.
Two Bears © Hugo MARTIN - 2008
I walked a little more, and started to meet isolated people who were just enjoying or getting ready to enjoy the sun for a moment.
Only Enjoy The Sun #1 © Hugo MARTIN - 2008
Getting Ready for the Sun © Hugo MARTIN - 2008
Until I found a huge group of persons, enjoying the sun, the ocean... and simply, life!
The Appointment © Hugo MARTIN - 2008
I guess I was wrong then... this day was a usual day in Coney Island.
Copyright - Hugo Martin (See That Shot)