A surfboard leaning against a wooden structure with red columns by the beach.

The Island

Saint Barthélemy

PREV

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Silhouette of palm trees against a cloudy sky and a body of water with islands in the distance.

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The Island

90 photographs

Saint Barthélemy
2017-2025

A woman wearing a long white dress stands barefoot on a wooden deck overlooking the ocean.

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View from the cockpit of an airplane approaching a runway on St. Barths.

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Saint Barths moves with its own rhythm. The pace is slow, the light warm, the ocean always close.

My first trip here was in 2016, and the connection was instant. It felt familiar, with early morning surf sessions, lunches in the sand with my wife, and time that stretches like the ease of summer at home.

It’s easy to mistake this island for something glossy, but what I found was a community built on salt, sun, and years spent in the ocean.

An airplane approaching landing above a silhouetted landscape of a statue and several plants.

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This feeling lives at the surf shack in Lorient, local and open to the air, full of locals who raise their families on the same beach where they were raised.

Each visit deepens the love for the island, the ease of routine and the excitement which begins with the moment the small prop plane makes its signature dip onto the runway.

Elegant, rustic, and romantic, this is the island.

A small airplane flying low over a runway approaching landing, with a view of the coastline in the background.

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A black and white photo of the coastline of St. Barths looking out towards the ocean.

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A woman walking alone on a sandy beach with her footprints visible in the sand.

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A person lying on a beach lounger at a beach resort.

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A black and white photograph of an island swith a small sailboat visible nearby.

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A black and white portrait of a young woman with sandy, wet hair, facing the camera.

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A surfer walking along rocks at the beach, carrying a surfboard.

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A view of the ocean with waves breaking and two small islands in the distance, seen through an open doorframe.

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Surfer jumping into the ocean from a rocky platform to paddle out.

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A surfer hits the lip of the wave creating a large spray behind him

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A close-up view of a wave in the ocean with sunlight reflecting off the water.

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A close-up view of a woman's lower body underwater, with a white bikini.

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Underwater scene showing dark rocks and sand with various fish swimming around, all in black and white. The surface of the water is visible above, reflecting light.

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A black and white image showing a poolside view with lounge chairs and umbrellas with mountains in the background..

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A view of an infinity pool overlooking a calm sea with several islands in the distance. Palm leaves are visible in the foreground.

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A woman wearing sunglasses reading a book while lounging on a towel beside a swimming pool.

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A woman with long hair stands on a beach facing the ocean, wearing an orange bikini.

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An orange Moke vehicle parked on a stone path surrounded by palm trees. T

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A view through palm fronds of a wooden railing overlooking a coastline with mountains in the background under a partly cloudy sky.

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A modern terrace with white furniture overlooking a blue ocean and distant islands under a cloudy sky.

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A person standing in shallow water with one arm raised, surrounded by calm ocean waves. The scene is framed by palm leaves and sandy beach visible in the foreground.

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Portrait of a woman lying on the sand at the beach, with their head resting on their arm.

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A wooden sign reading "PRIVÉ" is attached to a post with a rope.

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Close-up view of large leafy plants in dark tones with varying shades.

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A woman in a black wetsuit holding a surfboard next to the ocean, smiling at the camera.

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A flag with a coat of arms flying on a wooden pole, surrounded by palm trees.

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A black and white photo of a mountain landscape with palm leaves visible in the foreground, framing the shot.
A close-up of a woman covered in sand standing in water wearing a black bikini.

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A silhouette of a woman walking along the shoreline of a beach.

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A black and white portrait of a man and a woman partially hidden behind palm leaves.

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Contact sheet of portraits of couple next to palm leaves

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A young man holding a surfboard alongside the ocean, smiling at a woman walking away in a bikini.

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A woman dragging a large palm frond at the waters edge on the beach.

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Various seashells and coral pieces displayed on a wooden surface.

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A woman with long hair standing by a window, looking outdoors overlooking the ocean.

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A distant island viewed from a St. Barths, palm fronds framing the top of the photo.

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A woman sitting on the shore of a beach, facing the ocean at sunset.

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Two surfers standing on rocky shore near the ocean, with waves crashing against the rocks.

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A surfer standing on rocks near the shore, holding a surfboard, with waves crashing in the background.

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Two surfers walking on a path near a rocky area next to the ocean.

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Long view of surfer paddling out over a wave with foliage framing the foreground.

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A man surfing on a large wave in St. Barths.

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A group of adults and children posing on steps outside a colorful beach house

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A woman with brown hair holds a toddler on a beach, both smiling.

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Three surf instructors standing outside a yellow building in shadow.

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A view from St. Barths of the ocean with several small islands in the distance. In the foreground, there are palm leaves and a light leak from the film..

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Palm leaves framing a view of a beach and turquoise water with a distant island under a clear sky.
Close-up view of a mint green Moke car’s front grille and headlights.

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A panoramic view of St. Barths of a bay with sailboats anchored in the water.

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Portrait of a man with a surfboard behind him standing on a beach.
Portrait of a young woman with wet hair wrapped in a pink towel over her shoulders.

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Two surfers in the ocean, one catching a wave while the other paddles.

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A black and white photograph of a seascape showing a distant group of islands on the horizon.

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A silhouette of a woman standing on a beach, facing the ocean.

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A black and white cropped photo of a woman laying on the beach.
Man in 'Surf Instructor' rash guard looking out at ocean.

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A surfer with his board standing in the water while water crashes against the stone wall behind.

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Two surfers paddling out in the ocean, with a small island visible in the distance.
A female surfer holding her board walking in profile.

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A surfer riding a wave in St. Barths

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Cropped underwater photograph of a woman swimming
A surfer paddling into shore while in white water.

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Two people wading in the ocean, with waves splashing around them.

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A woman wearing a black bikini, sunglasses, and a cap, smiling while gesturing a dance move in front of infinity pool in St. Barths.
Self-portrait of Scott Rudin in ocean.

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View from higher land of a surfer catching a wave with others in the lineup in the background

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A surfer climbing over a rocky shoreline with a surfboard, water splashing around them.

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Tall palm trees swaying in strong winds, overlooking a beach with waves.

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Two tall palm trees swaying in the wind, with a mountain in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A woman in a black bikini and white wrap stands on the shore of a beach.

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Portrat of a woman lighting a cigarette with both hands to block the wind.

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A surfer stands on a beach holding a surfboard, with mountains and the ocean in the background.
A black and white photo of a body of water reflecting sunlight with mountains in the distance.

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A close-up portrait of a man wearing a white cap with a logo, sitting against a blurred background.

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Portrait of a man with long hair and a light smile, wearing a white robe, against a soft-focus background.

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A portrait of a man standing on the beach, smiling and sticking out his tongue.
A woman standing at the entrance of a building, holding a surfboard, while waving her hand in front her smiling. smiling.

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A black and white landscape photo showing several islands in the ocean.

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A woman in a bikini stands at a beachside counter, signing a check.
A handwritten note in French, pinned to a board with black and white photographs.

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A black and white photo of a calm sea with distant mountains outlined against a cloudy sky.

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Silhouettes of two people next to one another in a swimming pool, with a mountain landscape in the background and a sunset sky.

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A serene view of the ocean at sunset, with gentle waves reflecting light.

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The Island
All Photographs
Copyright © Scott Rudin
Black Palm Press
Two Thousand Twenty Six
All Rights Reserved

Silhouette of an island at sunset, viewed through palm fronds.

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Special Thanks

Leana, Jan, Jessie, Matthieu, Dimitri, Nina, Mollie, Nes, and Emily for her continued introductions into her community.

A black and white view from an airplane window showing a coastal landscape. The airplane wing is partially visible in the foreground.

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The Island | Scott Rudin