Photo essay

Ismail Ferdous’s ethereal vision of the Bangladeshi seaside

The photographer’s Sea Beach project celebrates the unique light and culture of a holiday destination he has known since childhood

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Man on a horse and woman standing next to him on the beach at Cox's Bazar
A couple on a day out at Cox’s Bazar beach in southern Bangladesh. Photography by Ismail Ferdous

For centuries, Cox’s Bazar, on the southern coast of Bangladesh, has been a city where diverse experiences collide. As a metropolitan centre, fishing port and popular tourist destination, it attracts people of all religions and social classes from across the country. More recently, it has become the site of refugee camps for one million Rohingya Muslims, displaced from neighbouring Myanmar.

For Ismail Ferdous, it is also a place where memories are made. The photographer first visited with his parents as a young boy, while on a family holiday from their home in the capital city of Dhaka. Since then, like many other Bangladeshis, he has often returned. During those trips, Ferdous has been entranced by the unique light and vibrant cultural life of the area.

Taken over a five-year period, the images collected in his book Sea Beach capture that fascination in sharp and ethereal colour. From lifeguards watching over the waters to a candyfloss vendor against an azure sky and a herd of cows milling around the sun loungers, this body of work shows a variety of poignant moments against the backdrop of a changing and unstable world.

Sea Beach is published by Imageless

Man holding bucket of flowers on his shoulder
A flower seller with a bucket of lotuses. Photography by Ismail Ferdous
Two Bangladeshi life guard at the beach of Cox's Bazar.
Two life guards watch over the crowds. Photography by Ismail Ferdous
Cows at the Cox's Bazar beach.
Cows enjoying a day at the beach. Photography by Ismail Ferdous
Twin sisters poses for a portrait at the Cox’s Bazar beach, they came to visit Cox’s Bazar as a tourist with their parents.
Twin sisters pose for a portrait while visiting the beach with their parents. Photography by Ismail Ferdous
A young boy holds a blue T-shirt over his head against a blue sky
A young man getting changed on the beach. Photography by Ismail Ferdous
Two tourist sisters taking a walk in the beach of Cox’s Bazar
Two sisters taking a walk along the beach. Photography by Ismail Ferdous
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