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Legends of the Sandbar - Christopher Bickford - Signed

Legends of the Sandbar - Christopher Bickford - Signed

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Photographer and writer Christopher Bickford has lived on the Outer Banks, a string of barrier islands hugging the North Carolina coastline, for over 15 years. Over the last decade he has worked to capture the sights and spirit of this small outpost on the Atlantic, one which has become mythical to many in the surfing community. In Legends of the Sandbar, Bickford has collated these evocative images to paint a vivid picture of the day-to-day life of those who live and surf there; from the parking lot crew, to the early-morning paddle-out, to the euphoria of glorious five-second rides on the perfect swell, and even the reluctant end-of-day exodus from the beach.

In between his remarkable images are poignant essays which reveal the stories surrounding this legendary place. Though the photographs draw the viewer in, it is the elegance and flair of the writing that are the real surprise of this book. Bickford describes the geological formation of the Outer Banks, marks the history of its first human inhabitants, and explores the myriad ecological challenges it faces today, sharing along the way a few home-spun oral histories of life on the Banks, told by and about some of the community's most iconic characters. Revelling in the strange sand formations, the dramatic cloudscapes, and the rough-and-tumble culture of the islands as much as it captures the big airs and deep barrel rides of a crew of working-class surf heroes, Legends of the Sandbar offers a powerful, poetic portrait of one of the top surfing destinations of the eastern United States. 

About the author: Christopher Bickford is a photographer and writer based in North Carolina. He has worked as a journalist and assignment photographer in Washington DC, New Orleans, Haiti, Hawaii, Italy, the Caribbean, and New York City. His photographs have appeared in National Geographic, Time Magazine, The New York Times, Surfline, Surfing, and numerous other publications worldwide. Some of his other ongoing projects include Scenes From a Venetian Carnival, and Backstreet Symphony: The African soul of New Orleans Street Culture. His stock archive is represented by National Geographic Creative. 


Publication date: July 25, 2017
ISBN: 978-0-9837864-8-1
First Edition, 2000 copies
Size: 8.75 x 11.25 x 2
264 Pages
paper: Scheufelen Phoenix Motion Xantur 
Cover: Garda Matt 400gsm
Endpapers: Sirio espresso
Photos, writing, design, and production by Christopher Bickford
Printed by Editoriale Bortolazzi-Stei (EBS), Verona, Italy
Published by Burn Books
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