Sunday 27 December 2020

Sunday 20 December 2020

Thursday 17 December 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #352

                                                        

A few lights. I like the primary colours 90s vibe of these lights.
 

Tuesday 8 December 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #343

This is the third in my series of experimental photos. All of the photos were taken with the theme of 'Red' in mind, but I wanted to do something with them to subvert the theme. For me, this year has gone so quickly and has felt so muted. At the same time everything's been turned on its head. These photos are just a bit of fun (let's not be pretentious about this!), but when I was editing them I was trying to create a bit of a mood of trepidation-- which is how I feel today.

 

Monday 7 December 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #342


If you didn't see yesterday's photo, take a look. I was in the mood to do something experimental. I am aware this is Photoshop 101 (and not even done on Photoshop, or done well!), but I am a self taught amateur with very little time or patience.

Anyway, I'm not feeling Christmassy at the moment, so until I am I'm posting mundane, odd and trippy!

 

Sunday 6 December 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #341

 Not very festive, I know, but I've had a bit of a play about with some photos I took on my phone. I wanted to convey the mood of this year. There will be two more photos coming with a similar edit. 


Monday 30 November 2020

November: A Roundup


November has been bleak. There's no two ways about it. The country has been in the second Lockdown and we are set to be out of it on December 2nd. Saying this, some places are still in pretty much a lockdown scenario. Tier 2, where I am, is still restricted, but hey, gyms can open, so some light at the end of this dark couple of fortnights.

Talking of exercise, I've been as active as a lump of lard. Illness has struck and, like many, I've worked through it. It probably wasn't Corona, but could have been (none of the key symptoms, but apparently people have had it with only headaches and chest pains). Nevertheless, I've got through for now.

Workload as a teacher is disgusting. But of course we're all a bunch of lazy complainers, so best not to even go into it. The pandemic brings out the best in some, but in others it unleashes very unpleasant behaviour.

Christmas is on the horizon which I can take or leave really, but it'll be good if we can see family. 

This project has been a thorn in my side most days! I've more or less managed it, but the theme of the year has been 'make the best of it', and that's what I feel my photography has been. I've often relied on phone photos and sometimes old ones from before the pandemic. The most rewarding thing has been to capture the changing of the seasons, something that during the first lockdown (the one before I worked 12 hour days, most days) was incredible to experience. To see Winter turn to Spring in minute detail was a wonderful thing. It's only now I'm older that I can appreciate the sentiments of the Romantic poets. I loved a bit of Keats at A Level, but teaching Romantic poetry now and then experiencing it in macro before my eyes--it's good for the soul.

A Photo a Day 2020 #335


As part of my walk yesterday I ventured through town and saw the Christmas lights. It was a rather poignant sight.
 

Sunday 29 November 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #334

I know I'm breaking theme, but I loved this photo, barely edited, taken at dusk at the end of a long walk. This 3 day weekend I've just had has resulted in high stress. I've just worked a 7 day week.

A Photo a Day 2020 #333


Sadly, work is ridiculous and I didn't get this up yesterday. 

Saturday 21 November 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #326




The shopping centre was really quiet during this lockdown which is partly expected, but also weird to experience. There seem to be lots of cars on the road compared to last time we were 'locked down'. More people are working as they can't afford not to, or have been made 'keyworkers' by their companies. It was good to get out and see a few hours of sunlight.


Wednesday 18 November 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #323


This was another shot taken in the first Lockdown which is funny to look back on because in reality this is a rather grim looking muddy dip filled with rain water. It was one of the landmarks of a daily walk around a small field. The world was so small back then! Now, in Lockdown 2, life is different. Time is scarce and pressure is high. Looking back at this muddy puddle makes me oddly content!


Sunday 15 November 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #320

This was taken a year or more ago. I found it and liked it. Travelling by train has been a love of mine for years. Granted, I only commuted to work by train for short distances and for a short part of my life, but I associate getting on a train with getting some headspace and freedom, perhaps because I used to venture into London as a young person to be a tourist and get away. I miss that.