#photographersathome
To foster our photo community, we’re inviting our photographers around the globe to share how this pandemic outbreak is affecting them and their cities. What are they witnessing? What are you doing while at home? How are they living in quarantine? Here is a little inside on how they are living in quarantine.
Cristina in Genoa, Italy.
I send you 4 pictures I took in my home with mobile. They synthesize our life at this moment: smart working, cooking, listening to the news (Italian Prime Minister first of all) on laptop and newspapers, walking down the cliff as we are so lucky to live on the sea.
I've chosen to give a peaceful view of my Country as I hope soon tourists will pack it again!
Grace in Venice, Italy*
In this not simple moment that is living the #Italy, I had to find the world to feed my creativity. So I took refuge in one of the few things that makes me feel alive: photography 📸
Last night walking with my dog, I found by "chance" (but I want to think not too much...) a small red plastic chair near the garbage cans.
I kept walking, but a few meters further on a sort of light bulb turned on 💡 I started to see pictures... 🔺 Red chair 🔻 We live in a red zone. The chair is a symbol of static, and we must #stareacasa.
The fact that the size is childish, made me think about what it represents: the future.
So I thought about how to photograph this sense of emptiness, taking it out into all those places where life usually flows, fully and in aggregation.
Because, as Robert Frank said, "photography must contain one thing: the humanity of the moment”.
I'm close to you.
Thank you for what you're doing for us.
See you soon.
*Photos taken in the Marche Region.
Colette in Berlin, Germany
I wanted to send over a shot I took yesterday on my seventh day of social distancing out here in Berlin. I think it communicates how stir crazy I already am D:
Ewa in London, England.
Those first photos were taken in Central London, before London was lockdown. It was a good time to have a quick photo tour.
The last few photos were taken near the place what I live on the second day of lockdown. Roads are not too busy with cars, but the parks are really empty.
The weather was beautiful, so we decided to go for a walk (but still keeping social distance with others) to keep ourselves healthy and happy.
Keep positive thinking :)
Julia in Paris, France
You can see empty touristic places like Moulin Rouge, closed cafes. But there is still life, I saw some French families made pictures near Arc de Triumph because it's an unique moment when it's empty. All boulangeries are open here so you can still enjoy sweet life. It's sunny in Paris now, so I go for a small walk every day to catch some sun and fresh air and yesterday I saw an old guy who was walking and enjoying the sunny day with coffee and some pastry he bought in boulangerie. It put my spirit up. Even in such a stressful time he found his way of being relaxed. And I have time to get prepared for my exhibition I was supposed to do in March but now I have more time to do the right selection. Still, have some work to do. No worries. I recommend doing some art while people are on quarantine.
Mariana in Lisbon, Portugal
Hello! My name is Mariana, and I´m a Shoot My Travel Photographer from Lisbon, Portugal.
It's been 12 days now at home. We are going outside just to buy what is strictly necessary; it's not easy since I have a 1-year-old baby and a dog who loves to go out to the park near our apartment. But we know how important it is to stay at home!
Last time I went out to photograph a shooting city was very calm already, almost empty. It was two days before Portugal's president announced that the country was in a “state of emergency,” which means that the police can obligate people to go back home and take the power of private property, for example: take a hotel to become a provisional hospital, if needed.
Since the first cases of the virus started in Portugal that people are really aware and working all together as a community to stop it by spreading the message that we need to wash our hands, stay home and take care of who is in need!
Since I'm home all day long, I'm trying to update my portfolio, read some unfinished books, draw and photograph our family activities. I'm really enjoying documenting my own life, as I'm used to doing that to other families. I hope you are all safe, and again: wash your hand and stay home!
Ericka in Los Angeles, USA.
Being at home started off as something that was really scary for me. As the weeks have gone on, it has shown to be rewarding as well. I don’t remember the last time I took even more than a week of work off. With so much down time I have decided to work on my art more, which has been another way for me to be creative, and just to enjoy this time at home with my fiancé and my dog Bowie. I have also been able to catch up a lot with my parents over the phone. This is an important time to connect more with people, even if we can’t see them in person. I love Shoot My Travel’s idea to inspire photographers to continue taking photographs at home and in our hometown. I chose to take more still life photos in our home and more photos of my dog, of course. J I think it is important now to appreciate the things we can and to slow down. I am excited to see what other photographers have captured as well.
Valentin in Cluj Napoca, Romania.
I have been working from home for the past 6+ years and about 7 months ago I changed jobs and went to work into an office. Now I am back #WFH, so no surprises here. But I have been incredibly blessed to be isolated with my wife and children, and we're using this as a way of exploring our relationships and learning more about each other. Our kids are now teenagers, and we have fun at home cooking together (as you see in the photos) or just watching movies. I love taking photos of everything that happens. My wife has a great home decorating gift, so I am snapping her creations (see the candles arrangement or the way she serves me dinner). Hopefully we'll all be over this soon and please stay safe everyone!
Leo in Oranjestad, Aruba.
Hi, I am Leo, a photographer from Aruba, a small island that is found in the Caribbean. Aruba is a place where lots of tourists come to visit and go home with great memories of Aruba. But the Coronavirus made it change that. The tourists are obligated to go back home. And on the pictures, you can see the impact the virus has caused. The photos were taken on the 27th of March between 11 am till 1 pm.
The first photo where you can see the cars, for a moment it feels like nothing is happening, just locals doing their thing.
The next four pictures are pictures I took from Downtown, which is called Playa, the heart of Aruba, you usually could see more life on the pictures, but at least the dogs are enjoying the water in this heated hour.
And finally, the last three pictures:These are taken at the High rise hotels. Usually, you would see tourists walking happily around children with their families, but as you can see, that is not the case now.
For me, as a photographer, it is very sad to see how Aruba is now, well, how everywhere is. But for now, let's just be safe and stay at home as much as possible.
May cosmic force be with you!
Toyoda in Bali, Indonesia.
Hello all, my name is Toyoda Michael. I’m a photographer of Shoot My Travel and based in Bali.
I’ve come to understand how important it is to keep the distance with other people during this crisis and have been staying at home since the 1st of March.
Right now, in Bali, the situation isn’t great; specifically, tourist spots are completely empty, so many hotels and restaurants have had to close, and many people have lost their jobs.
Now because the business has been frozen, I have tons of time to improve myself, my craft, and my work. I’ll be spending time learning new things, so I will be the best I can be when things return to normal.
I hope we can support each other through these difficult times. And hope that the storm will pass.
Astungkara (amen).
Onasis in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Hello. It is a pleasure to greet you! My name is Onasis Cedano, photographer of Shoot My Travel in the tourist destination of Punta Cana, RD. And here below, I will leave a brief review of how I have spent my quarantine.
Everything happened very quickly, in the blink of an eye. Still, just as I quarantined my country, I start to analyze the situation, because I am the type of person who finds it difficult to sit at home, I am a photographer of action. I sit down for a moment to analyze what I will do during this time to be responsible and comply with the #Stayathome standards since it is everyone's responsibility, and the idea occurs to me to show the world that I can be at home.
My idea was as follows: Post a photo every day to motivate people to do something that makes them happy and fills them with inner peace from home.
Since that day, I occupy my mind and my time in doing something different with the objects and articles that I have at home. Then, after a good exposure and a good shot from my mind to my camera and from my camera to the digital world, carrying the message "Stay at Home". And well, here is part of that virtual photographic exhibition that we show the world in this time of being a Super Hero from home.
Thank you for reading my brief story. I will leave the name of each collection of photos and the day it was taken.
Day 1: Chuzza.
Day 2: At home with lemon and salt.
Day 3: Looking for the word.
Day 4: I want you in the house.
Day 5: At the table in the house.
Day 6: Walking through the garden.
Day 7: Don't lose your light.
Day 8: From my house I can see the space.
Day 9: Fast and furious at home.
Day 10: The drop of water that filled the glass.
Day 11: Wine at Home.
Day 12: I don't get out of my bubble.
Day 13: 11:00 am Morning!
Day 14: The fruits of my garden.
Day 15: Colors.
Day 16: Vitamin C.
Day 17: On Safari.
Day 18: Dinner at home.
Day 19: Baby boy Sound.
Day 20: Like Water and Oil.
Day 21: Sea snail.
Day 22: Coffee smell.
Day 23: I missed that day because it was Friday of Holy Week, and that day I took a break to thank God with the family.
Day 24: Passion Fruit.
Day 25: Happy Easter.
Day 26: Loafers' Friend.
Day 27: Grandma's medicine.
Day 28: Pineapple on the beach.
Day 29: Praying Mantis.
Day 30: Morning.
Day 31: Starry night.
Day 32: Macro-Insects.
Day 33: Live Music Painting.
Day 34: Flames on Me.
Day 35: Made in Dominican.
Day 36: Hard to forget.
Gustavo in Porto, Portugal.
Hi! My name is Gustavo and I'm a Shoot My Travel Photographer born, raised and based in Porto, Portugal!
Since every kind of photography is on stand by for an unknown time, I decided to start shooting from my home terrace, and it's funny what we can reach and see from up high from my 6th floor after observing daily life running on the ground floor. Funny patterns, people that become funny characters, shadows and compositions. It makes me think about how and what to shoot with what I have, capture different scenes even being on the same place for hours.
I'm also looking for other photographers' works and what's new in the photography world, as we can't stop, our mind can't stop....
I've sent these photos from different hours with different sunlight and shadows! Hope you like them! Stay safe, it's gonna be alright.
Elizabeth in New Port Richey, USA.
I wanted to share a few (maybe more) photographs with you of New Port Richey, Florida. I headed out on March 25, 2020, to see how COVID-19 had altered this little town. As I walked around each door told a story, each building had some sort of sadness to it. Most business were closed and the ones that weren’t had takeout only signs, or wash your hands before entering.
This was the first time that I had left my house in almost two weeks. This was the first time I had seen the effects of the pandemic in person and not on T.V. This is real and this is actually happening. Such a surreal feeling.
Hopefully it will all blow over soon, and we can get back to the normal day-to-day life.
The link to the photographs are below, I can send you another link if you wanted to download any one photograph in particular.
Thank you for letting me share my experience with you.
Claudia in Cusco, Peru.
It's okay
My dear
She whispered
In silence
You're unsafe
What you are feeling
Is real
And you can trust it
It's okay
To not be able
To hear the birds for a while
To see the sun
In this situation of survival
It's okay
To be you
To not always be
That radiant light
How good you're doing
How special you are
How much hope you radiate
By just feeling
That it's okay
To be you
Wherever you are
It's okay
Bea in Venice, Italy.
Thank you for inviting all of us to give a meaning to this dramatic but also creative moment we are living now.
We want to be updated on what is happening but, at the same time, emotionally resourceful on those things that make us happy, hopeful, and creative.
We can flirt with our imagination and use this moment to create new ways to develop our abilities, to be able to stop and think. To re-organize our routine facing the slow-loneliness of our actions.
And wait patiently. What will come next...
Gianni in Bari, Italy.
Capturing the silence of some moments that portray quiet souls in search of expression. It's a tale of a passer-by, slow in movement, free in thoughts. His step is an echo between the ancient walls that effervesce lights and shadows, sounds and silences, smiles and tears carved in stone. He embraces the wall as though he's clinging to life, a life like all lives which pass far too quickly. Photography is the voice of those who do not speak, it is silence in noise, it is the story that never sets and illuminates the darkness.
Flora in London, England.
This series is part of a project I started long before this unbelievable historical moment.
I started it few years ago but it’s purpose, despite I strongly felt it so real and close to our human behavior, was not totally clear to me. I missed a “connection”.
Today, unfortunately I did find what I was looking for. COVERED TO D I S C O N N E C T, is what I feel everyday around me, now more than ever, people disconnected from reality by a layer that think that they can barely perceive it. There was already a filter between people and this world that now is so strong and so much thicker.
We can interact with it now.
I want it to be a reflection towards the near future. We need to eliminate those boundaries between us and the nature, between each other and RECONNECT to our environment and feelings.
This COVID surreal time, is to me a very incredible opportunity to learn, without misunderstandings or negligence, how to reconcile our emotions.
I experience it through photography.
I wish you all to find your own unique vehicle.
#StaySafe until we will be able to observe and admire each other for the first time after a very long time.
This project will continue once we are free again, and I want to invite you to be part of it and it’s evolution.
Fabricia in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Trying to create good memories even on this hectic scenario. It will make me strong to keep going and never stop to dream.
Roberta in Amalfi Coast, Italy.
I don't like still life or interior photography, what has always nourished my inspiration has been nature, people on the street, portraits and love in all its forms. In this period I really miss taking pictures, so I use myself as a model, as I did at the beginning. I rediscovered the joy, the difficulty and the intimacy of self-portraits. I enjoy every sunset with its perfect light from my balcony hoping to be able to watch it soon from a beach of my beautiful city.
Svenja in Barcelona, Spain.
It’s my fourth week in quarantine. Quarantine in Barcelona means that we can’t even go for a walk. That’s what I miss the most: Strolling through the little alleys and along the beach. On the other hand, this situation showed me how lucky I am. I’m blessed to be in isolation with my boyfriend and in a place with light and space.
A few months ago I moved into a beautiful industrial loft, which is a great model itself. Now I’m spending the days chasing the light and watching it change over the day. I rediscovered self-portraits, which I used to take so much when I was younger.
Sometimes I spend hours going through old pictures and dreaming myself away from our little bubble. Food also really helps me to use my creativity and create some mini vacations with exotic recipes (like Pho in the picture).
Every day at 8pm people go to their balconies and clap for the medical personnel. They are the real heroes of this time.
Carmen in Zurich, Switzerland.
All the events I was supposed to photograph and all my bookings in the studio are cancelled until at least end of April, but I am confident that things will get back to normal soon.
Hopefully, after these difficult times we will re-discover the importance of being together with friends and family, sharing moments of joy, and we will understand the importance of creating memories instead of having possessions.
I try to take advantage of the time I am at home, and I am editing old photos from my recent photo workshop during the Carnival in Venice, learning new editing techniques and improving my website.
I am also creating photo albums for my clients using images from our previous photos sessions and now I am offering this service on a large scale. I know that a lot of people have pictures on their phones or their computers, and they don't have the time or the possibility to organize them in photo books and I can help with this. I already made some albums and they turn out great.
My goal as photographer is to capture the personality of the people and pets through photography. For now, in order to protect us and our community we need to STAY at HOME but when we will get over this I would love to meet "in person" many of the people with whom I am now connected only "on line"!
*These photos are from my recent trip to Zanzibar. Finally, I have time to go through the photos I have on the hard disks :)
Sophia in Geneva, Switzerland.
Here are some photos I have taken during quarantine in Geneva, Switzerland. I am originally from London, and I was supposed to go and visit my family for my nephew's first birthday but my flights were canceled and I decided it was safe to stay in Switzerland anyway.
Switzerland was one of the most affected countries in Europe at the start of the global outbreak, so we were put into quarantine on the 17th of March. I have been going out and photographing people in their protective masks as this is a very rare sight to see in Geneva, as well as other things I see whilst I walk around.
Thank you for setting up this project. I am very keen to get involved :)
Natasha in London, UK.
Doing these self-portraits I was trying to do what I have never done before. I have never done self-portraits. I am always less interested in myself as a subject to photograph than in other people.Although there is nothing special about me I was always thinking of creating a self-portrait project.
These self-portraits are snapshots that reflect my vision of today reality and some circumstances through which I have to pass the last few weeks. I tried to visualize my feelings and memories of my forced self-isolation.
Davood in Florence, Italy.
It’s the 35th day I’m home and today when I went outside for shopping for the first time in these weeks one could see that life slowly starts again. I’m blessed to spend this time with my girlfriend and I want to show you some photos of our current daily life.
Since I'm home all day long, I'm trying to be productive and work on things that remained undone, like the relaunch of my website or the post-production of old photos. But a lot of time of course is spent with watching Netflix, trying stupid Instagram filters, eating and watching at our neighbors actual laundry or my girlfriends movement in our home ;)
Kate in London, UK.
I live in central London and I wanted to combine an exercise per day rule and my love for walking to take some photos of the city during the pandemic. Having only been to the supermarket over the course of several weeks, it was an extraordinary sight seeing London’s landmarks devoid of their usual bustle on a warm sunny day. The very few cyclists and people that were outside kept their distances. I hope that with my photographs I have managed to reflect the mood of the city.
One of the most profound aspects of this experience for me has been the amazing things people are doing to lift each other’s spirits and to stay connected during this challenging time. Thank you, SMT for creating this initiative. Stay safe!
Laura in New York, USA.
New York City as you know has been hit hard by the pandemic. I lost my father, original singer and songwriter of “I Love Rock and Roll” Alan Merrill from the Coronavirus on March 29th. It has affected my family tragically and our lives will be forever changed. I had to self-quarantine for two weeks alone, and we were unable to hold a funeral due to the nature of the virus. Once my quarantine was finished, I turned to my camera and ventured out to Times Square and 5th Avenue to document the many closed retail stores and empty streets. I found a lot of comfort behind the lens and felt it was very necessary to document what will go down in history as one of the most tragic moments of our lifetime. I share in honor and remembrance of my father as well as the so many others who have succumbed to Covid-19.
Maria Jose in Chicago, USA.
These past days, or even month, have made me realize how much I adore taking pictures and how much I miss going out in adventures with my Shoot my Travel travelers! But on the bright side, it also has given me time to experiment with my pictures as of in my editing style and techniques I can do to improve my shooting skills.
All in all, I know is hard to be at home all day every day but safety first so when all this is over, we can have more adventures together!
Maksym in Porto, Portugal
Sure, likewise other photographers I had to cancel upcoming photo sessions and not only in the country where I based but also in Europe. My clients here mostly are tourists. The welfare of a lot of Portuguese people depends on tourist traffic in Portugal. So, the absence of tourists could be a problem if you do not have a plan "B".
What I learned during the period of self-isolation due to COVID-19 outbreak:
1) it’s a blessing if you have an active second profession, especially if it gives you the ability to do your job remotely. For example, I am also a web-developer.
2) if photography is only what you can do very well, it’s better to be diversified professional, i. e. you may do not only portraits but also, for instance, some kind of product photography for on-line shops.
So, actually my life didn't change much. I still keep working, but only at home.
On the other hand, it is very important to stay calm and keep to be positive. The Chinese word "crisis" could be also translated as "possibilities". It is a good time to stop and look around to see new areas for your talents. You may use it to gain new skills or try yourself in something new. At least, you may be done with some matters which you never get around to.
Fernanda in Paris, France
I had recently moved to a new flat when the lockdown took place. From one day to another I had to figure out how to live closed in my tiny studio (luckily with a view to a garden) and how to deal with all the free time. And it was not easy at all ! At first, all my neuroses flourished and I felt tremendously lonely. Then, little by little I felt better with myself, got used to my new space (which I organised and clean over and over and over again!) and to this unreal life. Photography played a therapeutic role during this process. I spent time outside, profiting my independent journalist credentials to wander and register the transformation of the city, the emptiness, the stillness of its streets. Then I started photographing myself as I thought it was important to translate my feelings into images. And what I saw was that being apart from the world put me into a state of melancholy. So to balance that, I started to make jokes, non stop. Until laugh as much as possible of the absurd situations that I create on my mind. If I could draw I would definitely do some cartoons! But as a storyteller, I will happy to tell some of them once all this ends and we will be able to meet again.
Maureen in Los Angeles, USA.
Title: Agnoscere
My name is Maureen Eggleton, I am a portrait and editorial photographer living in Los Angeles.
When I received the news about the state of emergency and the lockdown enforcement in our state I was completely in shock. Feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, and fear started to eat my soul, I wanted to go out, enjoy the world, take photos of people and nature, but, in a second, all that was gone! I was not allowed to go out and work, as usual, I had to stay at home... The feelings of fear were strong but never stronger than my inner voice, it said "Maureen you are going to be ok, focus on creating, this is your call "' suddenly, this apocalypse (As I call it) turned into beautiful opportunity to explore myself, my soul, the story of my body, my imperfections and to explore vulnerability to recognize who I am.
Agnoscere in English means to recognize, I thought that was the perfect name for this series.
With love for humanity and earth.
Yoshiaki in Kyoto, Japan.
These are seven photos shot in Kyoto, Japan.
In Japan, we started talking about Covid-19 in the middle of January.
I remember I was a bit nervous about taking trains to Osaka at the end of January since there still were so many tourists from abroad.
But I still didn't think it was that serious matter. So I had a vacation to Bali for a week during the first week of Feb.
I enjoyed Bali by walking around, seeing my customers again, whom I shot in Kyoto.
Every year, business for location photography in Japan gets busier from the middle of March, especially for cherry blossoms.
However, I got messages from clients for cancellations, and finally, all sessions were gone.
Once I visited the Kamo river and Gion area and saw very few people.
By the way, I live with my wife and two kids.
She is a nurse working for the ICU section in a hospital near Kyoto station.
In March, the hospital wasn't accepting patients of Covid19.
In April, they still didn't accept them, but there were some cases they took patients, who turned from negative to positive for Covid19.
Also, there was a nurse infected in the hospital.
In the middle of April, it seems the hospital had changed its policy for the future, and we think they will accept Covid19 patients soon.
So I talked with her enough for this issue, and she decided to quit her job in a month.
Some people might not like the decision, but this is one of reality for us.
We are so afraid of being infected and spreading it between our family.
We have been afraid, especially for kids and their grandparents who live close to us and take care of them a lot.
Kids don't have any classes, so they are at home. I sometimes let them study but make them feel comfortable regardless of studying or not.
(We are so behind about online education in Japan. Public school are not ready for it yet).
They do a lot of TV games, but I kind of appreciate it since they enjoy it. I think one of the priorities is not getting stressed out too much at home.
A few days ago, we spent a moment with a bitter laugh when one character in a game started putting a mask on its face.
I have driven my wife for work these past two months since I don't want her to get on a crowded train.
So I drove her for her work this morning, too. There were few people in front of Kyoto station even though it's the weekend.
I went home, got relieved when I saw my kids were still sleeping. They are at least here.
Andras in Budapest, Hungary
We've been at home some mid March, so over 7 weeks now. As a photographer, I work home when I'm not shooting. However this situation is pretty much different, because it's not up to my decision to stay at home now. There is slow and partial opening in the countryside in Hungary, however the same restrictions are remaining in Budapest. Meaning that we are allowed to go out only in case we have an important reason to do so, e.g. going to work, or to buy food. Walking and doing sports alone or with close family is also allowed. Nowadays I can take portraits of my family. I also take self portraits, playing around with lights in our living room, which can be used as an ad hoc studio. :)
These are portraits of my wife. We just went out to our garden to stay safe and to not to break the rules.
Serena in Barcelona, Spain
I’m Serena, Italian photographer living in Barcelona. I’m writing this on my 9th week of lockdown. The situation escalated very fast here in Spain. One day everything looked normal and the covid-19 seemed just a rumor and the following day the prime minister Sanchez announced the “state of emergency”. While home I re discovered the pleasure of cooking slowly, managed to practice Pilates on a regular basis, watched many movies and develop a personal project that I was in my mind for more than a year.
Since we were allowed to go out only to buy groceries, I felt a mix of feelings and not inspired. My camera stayed off for a while. Only after the first two weeks of sadness for the whole covid situations and all its consequences, I’ve picked up my camera and started to “react”. First, a warm and sunny Sunday afternoon I started to photograph what I was seeing from my balcony with a telephoto lens, then some days later I challenged myself and tried to take some self-portraits. Something that I rally struggle with. Starting from May 2nd we were finally allowed to go out for a walk or to practice sport (from 6am to 10am or 8pm 11pm), me and all the people aged between 14 and 69 yo. Elders and family with little kids have different time slots. I decided to get up early and I photographed the almost empty streets and the spring vegetation. Basically what my eyes found nice and interesting without any claim to look artistic.
Camilo in Bogota, Colombia
Quarantine has been surreal, while we are going through a challenging worldwide situation, at home, hair has grown, I've learned a couple of recipes and I've actually been able to edit old personal shoots. I've kept my camera by my side in case I see something interesting out the window, usually a nice sunset or dogs my girlfriend keep pointing out every 5 minutes. I live in a small apartment in Bogotá with Verónica, which is amazing cause I get to shoot with a sexy subject spontaneously. Other than that it's been the usual eat, work, worry, talk to family and sleep. Even though I've enjoyed our time at home and have been able to watch way more YouTube tutorials I do hope we get to roadtrip, hug and shoot outside soon. Thank you!
Lola in Paris, France
I lived this lockdown from #Paris, France were I just moved after 4 years abroad! What a strange return to home.
This weird period of time was really beneficial for me, it allowed me to press "pause" from the fast-paced life of the capital.
I started this series working on the Diptyque format, I wanted to explore an intuitive way of combining photographs to create stories and a process of "fragmentation". All these images were shot in my neighborhood of Montmartre or in my small flat. This part of Paris is, in normal times, usually probably one of the busiest in the world. It was very strange and timeless to see these touristy areas completely empty. My goal was to explore the contrast between the complicated feelings this crisis was putting us into versus the calm, empty outside.
I really hope this crisis will help people to rediscover themselves and focus on new solutions. :)
Anna in Barcelona, Spain
I'm Anna, Hungarian photographer, living in downtown of Barcelona.
Here we are now, 28th of May, Barcelona: shops, cafés are starting to reopen, streets are getting filled with noises and laughs, even though most of the faces are still covered with masks. Will it seem just a like a weird dream soon... or will we be able to forget what happened?
After 50 days of lockdown during my first walk I felt ambivalent. I was excited and I had many questions at the same time - is it right to go out from my cave? The streets were still very empty, even in the downtown, where I live and where I used to do photo sessions with couples and single travelers. I found even more beautiful the outside world than before, and taking a 1-hour walk was a personal liberation - escaping from the gray and heavy feelings we felt in this uncertain situation.
The city, the outside world did not stop, I wondered how clear and blue the sky is, how green and blossomed the parks are, like an utopian movie scene - an abandoned city where nature rearranges everything and where I am the intruder. I observed things I have never taken attention before, so I wanted to repeat these therapeutic walks. I went out in the early mornings, sometimes aimlessly, sometimes with purpose but always with the pleasure to document the present state.
Giuliano in Rome, Italy
On March 11th 2020, the World Health Organisation declared the Coronavirus Pandemic.
For the first time since the end of the Second World War, the Italian government was forced to restrict certain fundamental freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution, in particular freedom of movement and residence (Article 16), freedom of assembly (Article 17) in its various forms. Moreover, with the spread of the virus, social distancing measures have become even more important, gradually increased by successive measures, leading to a gradual emptying of the streets of Rome.
Road and distance were the two recurrent elements in this photographic investigation; spatial coordinates within which I chose to move to observe how the hectic life of the city was adapting to the decrees imposed by the government.
What could have been a dystopia told only in science fiction films, seems to have been a new reality today, which could permanently change our lives.
