Manual Labor and Hard Work

Bringing in the Oysters, Deal Island, Maryland, USA

Recently, while photographing on the Eastern Shore, a friend of mine and I came across some oyster man bringing in their catch on Deal Island, MD.  After observing for a few minutes, I asked if I could make some images of them working and they granted permission.

What struck me was how labor intensive and how much manual labor was still required to put that delicacy on our tables.  These guys do not have it easy.  This is hard work.  Look at their ages.  These are not young men.  These men have toiled for a long, long time.  I suspect this work is backbreaking in many ways.  Imagine being out on the water all day in the heat of the humid summer and the cold of the frigid winter.  Being out in the weather from before dawn until late in the afternoon everyday harvesting oysters by hand.  I am thankful there are men that still do this work. 

I suspect the benefits of their lifestyle is a work ethic not many can match today.  A work ethic that is lost among many of our young people.  If it is not electronic or computer-based or in an air conditioned building/car or the hours aren't to their liking or working off-hours or nights or weekends or holidays or if not working means no money coming in, then they wouldn't be interested.  Many of the young people I meet and know today want it easy.  That statement is obviously a generalization, but it makes me think about how all of us (another generalization) have it today compared to the past as well as those careers that rely on the “old ways.” 

Now, don't get me wrong.  I'm not criticizing young people who choose to use their brains instead of their backs.  In fact, more of that is needed as we are now a service based economy and no longer primarily a manufacturing economy.  There is a place today for both types of work.  The hard work is just different today than in the past.

Careers that rely on “toughness”, both mentally and physically are dwindling.  Careers that rely on hard labor rather than meetings and committees are going away.  Good or bad?  Human nature?  Progress? You decide.

My hat is off to these guys for the guts it takes to work as hard as they do for the little money they get.  In many ways, they are better men than me.

Thanks for looking.  Enjoy!

Dennis Mook

Many of my images can be found at www.dennismook.com.  Please pay it a visit.  I add new images regularly.  Thank you.


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