These Hamptons: A Photography Book Review

The past eight years have been transitional times for the region known as the Hamptons and for the world of photography. The evolution of the photographic medium has changed the way people capture images, share them, and recall memories. The ebb and flow of the economy, (particularly the ebb in this case, with work being scarcer after the crash of 2008…) created an opportunity for Phillip to focus his energy and creativity on a personal photography project about the culture, landscape and the people of the East End of Long Island.

These Hamptons was created at a time when Kodak was shedding its less popular film stocks, and Polaroid was discontinuing many of their products, it gave him one last chance to use many of these products (which initially drew him to the art of photography) for the last time. Varying the cameras, film types and techniques to create the images contribute to the book’s dynamic layout and vast range of imagery. Though the images were only taken a few years ago, many are timeless and nostalgic in nature.

Below are some images which appear in the book.

The surfer at Montauk Point was taken in 2009 when Hurricane Bill was moving its way up the coast. Phillip was standing on the edge of the point when a surfer sat down in front of him to take a break. As he sat looking out at his fellow surfers, Phillip managed to a get a few frames of the surfer sitting nearly motionless, which was important for such a long exposure (about 30 seconds.)

The Lobster Roll (aka, LUNCH) is an iconic restaurant in Amagansett where after many years, the sign was re-lit with gleaming white neon. Phillip was driving down route 27 on a misty evening when he saw the intense white glow about a mile ahead. The sign never looked better.

These Hamptons was published on May 28th 2013 and is available at BookHampton or on Amazon.com.  If you have never been to The Hamptons and wondered what the buzz is all about or you have been to the Hamptons and love it, this is a beautiful book to own. Read it and come visit and you may see some of the actual locations these photographs were made at.

To Purchase from Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/0764343319