Creative Seed Designs: 2010

This is a shot from one of Martin Parr's 2007 projects where he goes on tour to capture the South American "beach culture". The shot shows a couple from the back view positioned close to the foreground admiring the view of the beach. The couple are embracing and unaware that they are being photographed. The man is a little out of shape but wearing a bright blue speedo bathing suit. He is quite hairy and looks wet. The women looks quite thin and in shape with a skimpy bikini. She is pointing at the beautiful background view of the mountains. The beach looks very crowed with a lot of people and umbrellas all over the place its is an overcast day and you really cannot see the water.

At first look it seems like a pretty average shot but as you keep looking you begin to see more and more. The interesting thing about this shot is how the mountain peek shape mimics the couples heads and the woman's arm going around the mans neck. It shows a typical stereotype of the over tanned, hairy, Latin man in a tight speedo, a little to heavy to really wear it but he does anyway because its the fashion and is accepted in south America more readily than in the states. The women at his side also is over tanned and in a skimpy bikini showing off her body. Parr's keen powers of observation has caught the typical Latin couple in a relaxed private moment enjoying their vacation. It shows a slice of life but almost feels like you the viewer are a peeping tom. The humor is in the man's hairiness which is almost gross.

This shot is typical of Parr's approach to his subjects. He picks the perfect moment when all things are in alignment to take the shot. He is the voyeur and in turn makes you the voyeur in a particular slice of life scenario but he adds a little bonus of humor, stereotyping and maybe even a little cynicism all wrapped up in bright, vivid colors. I think this compliments his other works and adds another line to the story he is weaving. In this case the story of South American "beach culture".