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Jones Beach Photographs
His long term photographic project, "People at Jones Beach" is one that Joe Szabo pursued for more than 25 years. These photographs started in the 1970's and have continued till the present.
The Beach photographs are an explosion of bodies, every type imaginable. Some near perfect, others near extinction, but all are tattooed with summer pride and pleasure taken in play, in touch, in looking and being looked upon. Joe's lens picks up on the group and individual dynamics and reveals the flaw as the norm.
The images are meant to be clear, unpretentious and vital. Every single point of reference, every body line and angle, every glint, every shadow, every form and curve, are noticed and all expressions, body and facial are natural and relaxed. These photos are made in trust, trust between the photographer and the subject. And there is truth in the people who are in them because Joe Szabo feels respect and is of the people at the beach. Joe Szabo likes the people he photographs and enjoys what they enjoy.
The images testify that he is at ease with the body of people at the beach. He identifies with them and finds in their images his most sincere, artistic, human-family compassion.
(Joe Szabo's photographs are included in Jones Beach: An American Riviera shown on PBS television.)
(written with Fielding Dawson)