Celebrating the grime and glamour of NYC’s beaches
- Text by Dominique Sisley

Simon Eeles is no stranger to glamour. The Tasmania-born fashion photographer captures it regularly – shooting sharp, lavish spreads for publications like Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, and Interview. Even his personal projects, which are shot in decidedly less elegant locations, manage to retain that same sense of sophistication.
His latest book, Far, Far Rockaway, serves as the perfect example. Despite being shot on the chaotic coast of New York city, it oozes opulence. The project magnifies the characters of local eccentrics, amps up their allure, and paints a colourful and diverse picture of the Rockaway coastline.
Released by Damiani later this month, Far, Far Rockaway is Simon’s second personal project. The first, Australiana, was an equally sun-soaked selection of photography, with the photographer heading home to Tasmania to rediscover his roots. “Summer has been my only canvas,” the photographer explains. “It brings out the optimistic in all of us.” We caught up with him to find out more.

Courtesy Damiani / Simon Eeles
Why did you choose Rockaway beach for your latest personal project?
The beach was always meant to be a place to start my work. Having spent the previous six years working in New York city, I had grown to love the oddity that is Rockaway. For me, the area offered all the colour and contrast I needed.
Far Far Rockaway is your second personal project book. In terms of the people you encountered, how does it compare to Australiana?
They were totally different. Australiana was me going through the motions of figuring out my home nation through photography. It was full of mistakes and love. Far, Far Rockaway was a project that lasted two years, and probably one year of production before that. It was focused on finding and airing the uniqueness of this New York beach. The actual people I encountered couldn’t be further from each other. The New York beach crowd came to the party with energy and colour in abundance. It was a more open environment for this type of work, and ultimately gave the narrative more depth. Australiana I was a bit more of an outsider, as I’d become partly Americanised following my time spent living in New York.

Courtesy Damiani / Simon Eeles
Where is home to you now?
I live in London currently, and have been here for the past year. I came with my family for one more adventure and challenge before our son gets too old. The pace and culture here are similar to Australia but also very foreign. It does work as a good place of contrast to the usual sunny places I linger around.
What about New York? You lived there for years – what did you learn from the city?
My time in Rockaway beach was really fantastic as it was the break from the city that I never had previously. Working with friends in creating something we hoped felt optimistic and new was the main experience for me. The first year was really a new experience where I tried to keep up the pace with the ideas, with the second year being more reflective and learning from previous mistakes. I think both years look very different but will tell the same story.

Courtesy Damiani / Simon Eeles
You often play with stereotypes and caricatures in your work. Why are you so drawn to them?
I’ve always liked comics and how they can portray characters in such a way that expands on simple ideas. When casting I gravitate to strong, simple characters. I then try to expand on them with photographic tricks. I like people who have a style that’s created for themselves – not necessarily for a greater audience. I usually try and avoid things which I already visually know.
Do you know what your other personal projects will be yet? What’s next for you?
My next project is about my love of movies and Hollywood. I’ll be shooting in LA this summer… but not on the beach.

Courtesy Damiani / Simon Eeles

Courtesy Damiani / Simon Eeles

Courtesy Damiani / Simon Eeles
Far, Far Rockaway will be released by Damiani on August 31
Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
Latest on Huck

Plestia Alaqad: “Journalists should focus on humanising people”
Huck’s April interview — Having become one of the most crucial and followed voices from inside Gaza in the aftermath of October 7, the award-winning author and journalist is releasing a new memoir, ‘The Eyes of Gaza’, collating diary entries made over the past 18 months. We caught up with her to hear more about it.
Written by: Isaac Muk

The instrument makers taking DIY music to a whole new level
What does it take to construct a modular synth? How do you turn a block of wood into a double bass? Here, four craftspeople explain why they chose to rip up the rulebooks and build their own music-making machines.
Written by: Daniel Dylan Wray

Southbank Centre reveals new series dedicated to East and Southeast Asian arts
ESEA Encounters — Taking place between 17-20 July, there will be a live concert from YMO’s Haruomi Hosono, as well as discussions around Asian literature, stage productions, and a pop-up Japanese Yokimono summer market.
Written by: Zahra Onsori

In 1971, Pink Narcissus redefined queer eroticism
Camp classic — A new restoration of James Bidgood’s cult film is showing in US theatres this spring. We revisit its boundary pushing aesthetics, as well as its enduring legacy.
Written by: Miss Rosen

As amapiano goes global, where does it leave its roots?
Rainbow grooves — Over the past decade, the house music subgenre has exploded into a worldwide phenomenon. Jak Hutchcraft went to its birthplace of Mamelodi, South Africa, to explore its still-thriving local scene.
Written by: Jak Hutchcraft

Clubbing is good for your health, according to neuroscientists
We Become One — A new documentary explores the positive effects that dance music and shared musical experiences can have on the human brain.
Written by: Zahra Onsori