Ronald Nattress: Sounds Of Winter

It was the year 2021 when I started my street photography journey. I always admired the great photographers who roamed the streets of places like NYC, London, and Tokyo. There was so much to see and so many stories to tell in these lands they occupied. My situation was much different. I live in a place called Clearwater, FL which is far from big city life. Nearby neighborhoods you can find “big city” life in St. Petersburg or Tampa. However, having been raised in New York City, it was nothing close in comparison to where I live now. Figuring out how to get started as a street photographer proved to be a bit challenging in the beginning.

Something I have learned after moving to Clearwater, is we have two main seasons. There are the scorching summer months that take up the majority of the year. And then there are the winter months when Floridians freeze to death at anything under 70 degrees fahrenheit and snowbirds as we call them flock in from the north. It is those winter months when my home becomes packed with people from places like Canada, Upstate NY, or just about anywhere where winter means shoveling snow. With the sudden influx of people we get every year that flock to our white sand beaches, I found a way to make the beach my own version of the street. It became my way of documenting candid moments of life from a different location.

Winter may sound like many things to many people, but to me it is the sounds of waves crashing, sounds of seagulls squawking, sounds of people partying. This time of year the air smells of coconut and sunscreen. The sidewalks and pier are filled with performers and vendors selling everything from art to beach themed knick-knacks. Want to book a fishing tour, ride on a shark boat, or pirate ship, Clearwater Beach has you covered.

During our winter months the traffic is terrible. People’s frustration and road rage go up to level 10. Just getting to the local beach can go from 15 minutes to over an hour unless you know the secret ways in, and that does not include finding a place to park. Yet, once your feet touch the soft white sand, there is a sudden calm. You are invited to breathtaking views, amazing sunsets, and true paradise.

Clearwater Beach quickly became one of my favorite places for street photography. It is where I got my start and where I found my calling. Sounds Of Winter is a project that pays tribute to how I got my start in street photography and the constant growth as an artist. Every time I come to this beach it is as if I am seeing it for the first time. There are always new faces to see, new spontaneous moments to witness, and art to be made. I appreciate you taking the time to see my project for yourself.