Tide and Tradition: Hand Tongers of the Bay

This album captures the enduring tradition of hand-tonging for oysters by Chesapeake Bay watermen—an intimate look at the people, their labor, and the deep connection between culture and environment. Through vivid, candid imagery, the album honors the heritage of a centuries-old practice that persists amid changing tides—ecological, economic, and generational. Each photograph tells a story of resilience, skill, and community, offering viewers a window into the rhythms of life on the water and the legacy of those who make their living from the Bay.