Coney Island's Mermaid Parade is a fantastical sight to behold — one that photographer Luke Ratray has spent nearly two decades capturing on film.
Ratray, 43, a native New Yorker and Brooklyn resident, has taken thousands of photographs of the whimsical Mermaid Parade, which has brought sea creatures, mermaids and mermen down to Coney Island's boardwalk for almost 34 years.
When Ratray heads down to the beach this Saturday on June 18, it will be his 20th year photographing the parade, he said.
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As he did in 1996, the photographer still shoots the parade using film cameras instead of digital media as he looks to create images that capture the beauty of the marchers' ornate costumes.
"I wanted to make an effort to make these pictures look like more than just — forgive me — boobs and butts," he said.
The photographer will display his body of work for the first time at Urban Folk Art Gallery, located at 101 Smith St. in Boerum Hill.
The show opening is scheduled for Friday, June 24 from 7 to 10 p.m. and it will run till July 22.
Mermaid Parade 1996
Ratray began covering the parade in 1996 but his first visit to Coney Island dates back to his childhood days. <br><br>
"My dad took me down there when I was a little kid in the late 70s," he said. "I thought it was beautiful."
Mermaid Parade 1997
Mermaid Parade 1998
While photographing the parade, Ratray said he's looking originality and creativity among groups or individuals who "have made an effort in their costumes."
"It's a wonderfully, whimsical, silly event," he said.
Mermaid Parade 1999
Mermaid Parade 2001
Mermaid Parade 2002
Mermaid Parade 2002
After almost 20 years of attending the parade, he also looks forward to seeing some parade-goers who have become friends over the years.
Mermaid Parade 2005
Mermaid Parade 2007
Mermaid Parade 2007
Mermaid Parade 2007
Mermaid Parade 2008
Mermaid Parade 2012
Since the exhibit will be after this year's parade, Ratray said he will work to have an image from 2016 displayed at the gallery.