Tuesday 30 June 2020

June: a Roundup



June is over and its been interesting. The world of quarantine has been relaxed in terms of some partial school openings, more shops opening and rules relaxed. But it feels like the world is made up of those who social distance and those who don't care less. Beaches have been packed as the sun has been out in full force and the solidarity of early lockdown is well and truly gone.

As pubs open on July 4th (but not gyms-- whaat?!!) I'm sure social media will be littered with images of the drunk and disorderly minority who are flouting rules. Call me pessimistic, but there you go.

Despite the political and social frustrations, nature has bloomed and the 'Shades of Pink' photography project theme has given opportunity to document this. It has been a difficult theme, but that's the point. I have no idea what the next theme will be, so watch this space for tomorrow's post!

In the interest of documenting this time, what's stood out is the need to reach out and keep in contact with family and friends. For those that are happy in their own company this can be overlooked, but it is important. Living in the moment and not the past or future has also become a lot easier and this (for many) is a blessing. There is no way to predict what will happen with this pandemic; it doesn't pay to be too optimistic or pessimistic when it comes to thinking about 'second peaks' or repercussions of ill-informed decision marking. For now, I am looking forward to a Summer holiday where I am free of responsibilities and can make some creative use of free time, even see some friends and family (at a distance of course).
  

A Photo a Day 2020 #182


Friday 19 June 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #171



So unmoved by things outside themselves'

Sometimes a photo makes you think of a song. I adore the album 'Journey Through the Secret Life of Plants' and especially the track linked above. Wright's voice is beauty.

This was taken on a whim whilst delivering food to a loved one who can't go outside. I used my phone. It seems poignant that there are raindrops on the leaves.

Tuesday 16 June 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #168




This was a re-shot of an original photo. Both photos had their merits and both I am not 100% happy with! There is something incongruent here which is interesting, but I wish I had a model who was better at blowing bubbles and had a more interesting face.

Monday 15 June 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #167



Can pink reflect a blue mood? If it can, I think that's what this picture is showing. I just took it moments before typing this and wanted this to be titled as part of the Lockdown series of photos (which I have neglected for a long while). I think Lockdown was this new and novel thing, but now we're hip-deep in it, it's wearing thin some days-- and that's coming from someone who likes their own company.

Sunday 14 June 2020

Saturday 13 June 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #165


Taken in St. James' Park, London a short break away before the pandemic broke out, this is a happy memory for me. These pelicans were happy to be photographed and just incredible to see in real life.

Thursday 11 June 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #163

Pink Grass

Hayfever has been awful of late, but doesn't this grass look cool! It's grown so tall since the start of lockdown and I've literally watched it grow each day.

Wednesday 10 June 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #162

Glamcat

I entered this into a photo competition last year. I've since amped up the pink for this month's theme. This was a fluke, a photo taken when Maisie was sat in the window on a sunny day and the light formed these patterns which made her look very glam rock when edited. I like this photo.

Wednesday 3 June 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #155

Summer

I've played around with colour here in post production (fading bits and amping bits), but, yes, my eyes were disgustingly bloodshot and sore. Using a macro lens, this was a shot that focused on the lashes, blurring the eyeball a bit, which gave the colours more of a pastel look that I thought was interesting.

Monday 1 June 2020

A Photo a Day 2020 #153

Trepidation
Granted, not a jolly start to June, but at least vaguely interesting. I knew that June's theme had to be 'Shades of Pink'. It's a colour of blossoming beauty (and, as I'm sure I'll discover, all sorts of other connotations). Perhaps the gender stereotype of girls being obsessed with pink and boys only wearing blue (or other 'masculine' colours) can be explored this month. Maybe I'll pap some lovely flowers on my walks. Hopefully I'll be able to capture the whole spectrum of shades of pink.

This was taken twenty minutes ago as I write. I had forgotten to take/ post a photo so far today (not the first time), but I wanted the challenge of pink. I even have some photos logged for other colours and themes that may be in the pipeline for future months, but nothing sprung to mind for 'pink'. In fact, I think it's a challenging shade because it's not a primary colour. It's often a colour that sits happily in the background, unless it's a screaming magenta or fuscia.

Out of around 25 photos taken as part of this shoot using my trusty Sony A5000 Macro lens (nothing high spec here, I'm self taught and learning), I chose this image. It wasn't the prettiest, or the most flattering, but it expressed something relevant to how many of us feel at the moment and also perhaps something about me.

As this is also a beauty blog, I'm wearing YSL Rouge Volupte (Shade 1???) and a pink, sparkly Lipstick Queen gloss in a shade called 'Time Warp' (yes, I wore it just for the photo!)