The Story Behind the Photo. Boa Viagem - A Beach for Nobody.

“Such a big change happened in the ecosystem at Boa Viagem that forced the government to ban people from swimming in its waters.”

When I was signing the cinematography for a Brazilian TV doc-series, I had to travel to different corners of this huge country during long three months until the final day where we landed on Recife.

This northeast coastal paradise that gave birth to many important Brazilian cultures, famous songs, dances, parties and carnivals, has a beach called “Boa Viagem” or roughly translating: “Good Trip”.

It seems that the construction of a new commercial harbour nearby the city, increased the yearly number of shark attacks among its swimmers. Why? The construction caused an imbalance between the reefs and the beach ecosystem. The attacks became regularly published in national television and commented between Brazilians since the beginning of this century.

The deserted waters from Boa Viagem, resulted in a very profound aesthetics in this collection. The photos gives me a sense that nature can always strike us back to remember that we’ve been always under its rules and not above it.

Today, locals and tourists can only appreciate the stunning wide open view of the sea or lie down to take a good sunbath. Even though we see some people risking their lives to quickly refresh themselves, until today, swimming in this beach was never again recommended.

Boa Viagem - A Beach for Nobody.