Eddy Pearce Photography

Why this project?

Whenever work, family life, and the sea state allows, I swim each morning at our closest beach on the Jurassic Coast. There are a few reasons why I do it, but I’ve had battles with anxiety since a major house fire, so looking after my mental health is definitely one of them. Frequently, thoughts creep in telling me not to go - I’m too busy, it is too cold, I’m too tired. I’ve worked hard to get to a stage where I hear those thoughts, call them out for the tall tales that they really are, and then trump them with the reality that I ALWAYS feel better for going. 

There are volumes written about the benefits for mental and physical health of sea swimming, cold-water immersion, and regular time in nature. My own musings are unlikely to add much there. However I have recently noticed one thing which can throw things out of balance. I have an app on my phone which sends me an alert whenever there has been a sewage discharge close to the beach. I don’t want to swim in sewage. So, on a morning when I’ve overcome those temptations to pull up the duvet and I’m ready to head out to do something that feels very free and liberating, I’m suddenly hit with the reality that someone else can literally pull some levers and shit on my plans. What I’ve noticed is that I take those alerts pretty personally. They shouldn’t happen, and when they do, I feel pretty upset. 

Through a community photo project that I set up during lockdown, and more recent work with a local mental health charity, I have learnt how photography, especially when linked to personal stories, can bring individuals and communities together, and help to deliver a meaningful message. So I’ve been thinking for a while of starting a project about the link between mental health, the outdoors, and restrictions of freedom. It was a loose idea and still in the planning stage. Then I read the news about the Dartmoor wild camping ruling… 

I'm upset again. In fact I’m really pissed off. This shouldn’t happen. Another activity that is free, liberating, and gives an incredible connection to the environment has been taken away. The impact on me is small, but the wider impact is huge, so I’m taking this pretty personally. I’d like to do whatever I can to add my voice to those who oppose this, so I’ve jumped in the deep end with my photography project plans and will be starting it with a series of portraits taken on Saturday 21st Jan at the protest on Dartmoor. 

At this stage I’m keeping my aims for the project fairly open and will see how it develops. Very loosely though I’d like to use it as a way to support existing organisations who promote mental health and well-being, or who fight for more open and inclusive access to outdoor space, with their work. While it takes shape I will be hugely grateful for any useful contacts, suggestions and, most importantly faces happy to spend a few minutes in front of my camera…

For more info or to share your thoughts please email eddypearce@mac.com or call me on 07976 249699.

Many thanks. Eddy