Memories and Reflections
Introspective: This is one of the few photos of myself I’ve genuinely come to love, partly because I had no idea it was being taken. There’s something honest about a photo you didn’t pose for. I only learned it existed about a decade ago, through a chance encounter with my old secondary school teacher. He’d kept it all those years, and handed it to me so many years later. It was a surprise, too, to see other familiar faces in it that I’d almost forgotten. Thank you, sir!
Nighthawks When I first saw the Nighthawks painting a few days ago, I was taken aback by how Edward Hoppe managed to capture a sense of silence. This painting raises so many questions. What are these people doing so late into the night, do they know each other (e.g couples/friends or even strangers) etc. The painting captures a feeling of loneliness and isolation that matches Hopper’s description of it as “literally an illustration of loneliness.” Edward Hoppe, American, 1882–1967
Plant Hunter. I discovered this plant shop by accident opposite the Genesis cinema, nestled among all the restaurants and off-licenses. It’s so refreshing to see a different type of business on this road.
When we entered the Plantonium, we were greeted by a young lady who was passionate about the plant! She cheerfully answered all our questions.
The Plantonium has a wide selection of potted plants for most inner-city plant hunters and the price was reasonable. I plan to buy a Bonsai tree on my next visit.
That’s me. It’s a crop from a larger family portrait taken in Bangladesh, on a hot summer’s day at a local bazaar. Beyond that, my memory of the day has faded — much like the photograph itself. I’d almost forgotten it existed until a family friend in Spain sent it over, and seeing it again stopped me in my tracks. Time and the tropical humidity had nearly destroyed the print, and it struck me how close this little piece of my childhood came to being lost forever. I’m so grateful to my friend for sending it.
This is my first attempt at restoring a photograph. The image on the left shows how badly it had faded.
Mass Communication. Feeling nostalgic seeing one of these phone poles. Once these poles were used to carry voice calls. Today it is used as vital infrastructure for the digital age, making it possible for millions of people to work from home during the lockdown. I suspect these will soon get replaced like the red phone box. Maybe it should get a listed status?
Asset stripping. Stores are closing all over the country due to online shopping accelerated by Covid-19 lockdown. Thurrock, Essex, Saturday 2nd January 2021.
My plan for this blog section is simple: to share an original photo of my own every day, or at least once a week.
Normally that wouldn’t be much of a challenge. Living on the outskirts of London, there’s no shortage of life and culture to capture right on my doorstep. But as I write this, at 21:47 on 6th January 2021, we’ve just entered a third national lockdown. With me working from home and only venturing out for essential shopping or the occasional bit of daily exercise, a new image every day suddenly feels like a tall order.
Still, I’m determined to find things worth photographing and sharing with you here. Lockdown has a way of making you look harder at what’s close by, and maybe that’s no bad thing. As always, I’d love to hear your comments and feedback.