Seeing Newfoundland through the eyes (and lens) of a beachcomber: A photojournalism story

Jennifer Y. Thornhill

 

 

 

I, Jennifer Thornhill, am a beachcomber.

 

The term “beachcomber” has a few definitions. According to Webster’s dictionary, a “beachcomber” is:

1. (Naut.) A vagrant seaman, usually of low character, who loiters about seaports, particularly on the shores and islands of the Pacific Ocean;

2. a vagrant living on a beach; or

3. a person who searches along a beach for objects of value, such as lost objects or seashells.

 

I must admit that I have loitered about beaches on more than one occasion. I even toy with the idea of living on a beach. Admittedly, I have always been a beach bum. But, does this look like the face of a vagrant? I am hardly a vagabond, an idler, a wastrel or anything of the sort.

The truth is, my beachcombing tends to be mission-oriented. My mission is an exploration to find treasures—treasures the Ocean herself has had a hand in crafting.

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