Growing up near an ocean, fishing seemed everywhere around me.
I longed for a rod and reel of my own.
I could see myself, rod, reel and bait container in hand,
walking to the Great South Bay to fish.
The reality wasn't what I expected.
Forcing a live worm or small bait fish onto a sharp hook disgusted me.
The gasping and thrashing of a dying fish hauled out of the water pained me.
Sometimes photography is like fishing. After waiting patiently, I go home empty handed.
Sometimes I go home with a great catch. The best part is not killing bait or fish.

These photographs are a selection from an ongoing series, The Parkdale Project.
Neither worms nor fish were harmed in the production of these photographs.
--Victor Mayes