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If I wasn’t so dedicated to maintaining acquaintances and friends, I might have forgotten DearSusan over the last year or so. Still COVID-marooned in the UK, I have a slightly different world view to many, but still suspect that the pandemic had wrought damage we haven’t yet contemplated, much of it deeply psychological.
Behaviour patterns change slowly and even though a month has passed since it is no longer necessary to wear face masks in public in the UK, a significant number of shoppers and travellers continue to employ some kind of facial protection.
I ponder as I wander; unvaccinated, or does the fear of infection linger?
Throughout this period, I’ve found little interest in my regular hobbies, most especially photography. But, as the weight of potential infection has lifted, I’m pleased to note that my interest in photography has once again gained some impetus.
I’ve shot a number of recent images and think they warrant two posts. This brief introduction sets the scene, post two will appear soon.
It’s good to be back.
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What a lovely eye for urban detail! The photos themselves are works of art, the subjects fascinating, and the recovered interest in photography most heartening. Welcome back to DS, and I look forward to your second post.
Thanks Lad.
I’m so happy to see that you’re back at it again with your wonderful urban photography! Obviously, London is the perfect location to find interesting details to inspire your creative spirit. Texture, shine, and color – you’ve nicely captured them all.
You’re right about the pandemic causing more than just physical issues – anxiety & depression are rampant around the world. Anxiety has definitely affected my photographic production, mostly dampening the desire to be creative at all.
Your post has given me a push to get a grip on my camera and get busy!
Welcome back to DS, my friend!
Thanks Nancee. It’s good to be back and not sitting at home, wanting to go out and do something, but knowing that like a naughty child, I’m not allowed. Lots of change underway – I’ll mail you ASAP.
” . . . . much of it psychological”
It impacted badly on extroverts. Their lives have always revolved around circulating with other people.
I’m afraid that far too many will have been crushed by it. Lost their business, lost their incomes, and left with nothing. Way too many small business owners then end up homeless and penniless. In mid-life. With no prospect of repairing their damaged fortunes before they are too old to work elsewhere. Even if they could get another suitable job.
And it’s still out there somewhere. In a different form. In several different forms.
So yes – people will choose to continue wearing masks.
Sobering stuff. The black plague was worse. But that’s no consolation.
DS on the other hand is a “place” where we can come together and share. A great place to “feel good”, relax, and chatter among friends. People we’ve come to “know” in this strange new cyber-world way of knowing and socialising with others. A world that’s become the “new norm” for our children and grandchildren.
Welcome back, Paul. I’ll try to find you another relic from the days when I used to shoot steam trains. One relic I have located is a wad of B&W photos of me & others, prancing around in swimming costumes, when I decided to celebrate my 40th by entering the Mr Perth bodybuilding competition, in the “over 40’s” division. My wife was cleaning out “old junk” and stumbled across them. I’ve changed a fair bit since – 10 years later I had a heart attacked and was banned from the gym, the insurance company had ordered them not to allow such people on the premises! Anyway I’m now nearly twice that age.
Oh – and no, I will NOT post those photos on DS! That was a time when I had nicknames like “Al Pacino”, “Serpico”, and “Scarface”. I used to look ferocious (and probably was). Grey hair has been a wonderful disguise.
But as many people are thinking and saying now – at least I’m still alive – and reasonably healthy – “carpe diem”! I do indeed – for years, I’ve been living by that philosophy – taking each day as it comes – determined to enjoy it – treating it as a gift from God. Remember the story of the three people, at a bar? – one complaining that his glass was half empty, one saying well his was still half full, and the third one, a lady, saying “I don’t care which one it is, I’m just going to have another glass!” Great idea – I can strongly recommend it – I’ve been doing it for ages – probably, ever since I was 8 years old, a whole lifetime ago, bed-ridden with polio, and firmly resolved never to let anything beat me.
I don’t know if any part of this bilge is of any help – or, even, any interest. I hope it is. You’re younger than I am Paul. Sigh – practically EVERYONE is! – so make sure you follow the lady’s advice, look beyond the half empty glass and the half full one – kick up your heels and enjoy it all. Every day we don’t do that is a day we’ve lost and will never have.
And for me, photography is more than just a visual art. It is life – it is steeped in my soul – or should that be “my soul is steeped in it”? Photography is a part of me – as much as my love of music is. Even during lockdowns, when I couldn’t just go out to take photos, I could still go through them all on the computer. Print them. Share them. Work my way through the “too hard” basket. Take more macro photos (I bought yet another macro lens during COVID! – no doubt plenty of others did, too!)
I rather think photography plays a similar part in your life Paul. Clean your gear, head for the door, and get out there again – conquer the world! And during any visits home, process the results and share them with your friends here on DS. Pascal’s been trying – but he can’t be expected to do everything.
Thank you Pete – good to hear from you again. Carpe diem? This is my solution:
It’s called ngiyabonga (Zulu: thank you) and I moved on board in May. Loving it. Now resident in a marina on the Ouse, prepping for autumn and winter, but in the interim thinking about daily cycle expeditions, camera at the ready. I’mn sure you’ll read all about it on these pages soon.
Best.
You can’t add days to your life, but you can add life to your days!
Welcome back, Paul. Great to see your work and hear from you again. Stay safe through this 4th variant. All the best. David
To me, looking at your pictures, this is more than just “back to life”, Paul… they clearly show that you re-connected with what mesmerized me in your images in the past: this strong feeling of “being there”… could nearly “touch” the things :). “One hand, two yellow pencils”, as an example, is now on my desk… your blacks have a texture I hope to – poorly, for sure – replicate one day 🙂
Great images Paul. Good to see you out there again.
“Behaviour patterns change slowly” – They sure as hell changed overnight to get the world into this state of mass psychosis – and seem to be slowing in returning to normal.
“still suspect that the pandemic had wrought damage we haven’t yet contemplated, much of it deeply psychological” – i would agree wholeheartedly with you there with the exception that i would not lay the blame at the feet of the pandemic – more so at the feet of creeping totalitarianism motives within governments in the so called free world.
Good to see you back in business even if your images paint somewhat a picture of despair – awaiting the next post
Cheers
Ian