I will remember the winter of 2020 as a long, dark period; one marked by feelings stirred up while helping others through their struggles and by the death of my father. The long winter continues now of course, fuelled by the daily onslaught of COVID-19 related news and the cancellation this week of a family vacation to Disneyland (we were to touch down in LA the day they announced the park closures).
All of this can seem like a lot, can’t it? Especially when you consider that we humans are wired with a negative bias (our DNA is still watching out for Saber-toothed Tigers), which means that it is easy to become overwhelmed by all of these negative feelings if we allow it to happen.
Amongst the chaos of life’s challenges, however, there are still opportunities to find peace and simple moments of joy. Such was the case earlier this year, when I finally had the chance to get away and be a photographer again. I spent a few days in a city that I love, spending time with my amazing wife and with my photography friends. I felt the sun on my face, I relaxed and watched the world go by, I dined with friends, and I made photos again with intention and purpose. It was a wonderful reminder that no matter how dark the winter is… the sun will always shine again.
Even now, at a time when we should all be making realistic modifications to our daily lives to help slow the spread of COVID-19, the sun will continue to shine. I won’t be travelling again for a while, but there are ways that I can find moments of joy while still doing my part to protect the herd and keep pressure off of our health care system: I can spend time with my family, shoot landscapes, process old photos, read books, play guitar, re-watch old movies, go out and enjoy my city in a way that respects social distancing, do yoga, etc.
No matter how dark the winter is… the sun will shine again.
So, keep your hands clean my friends. Don’t use hand rails when going up stairs. Try not to touch your face while you are out and about. Stay home if you feel ill. Stay 6’ away from people when you can. Perhaps phone or Skype at risk family members and friends rather than visiting them face to face for a little while (remember, you can be an asymptomatic carrier). Understand that these common sense actions aren’t just about keeping you safe, they are about protecting the herd and our health care system. They are about protecting immunocompromised people. They are about protecting pregnant people. They are about protecting our elderly who have co-morbidities. After all, we are in this together, right?
Most importantly though: Be purposeful in deriving joy from your life and your art, even during these troubled times. No, especially during these troubled times. Don’t let your passion get drowned out by negative bias or by the onslaught of news that the media sends our way. Use common sense, but always let the sun shine in… for all winters come to an end.
And with that, I shall leave you with some new photographs. I hope you like them.
Best wishes,
Ian
Wonderful work and story, Ian. These images make me feel better. Thank you for your good eye and your good heart. Best, Terry
Hey Terry!
I think art is more important than ever during times like these. It is what gets us through, isn’t it?
Cheers,
Ian
Those photos from the S F weekend? Damn you’re good!!!
They are from the February trip, yes! Thank you for your kind words, they are very much appreciated.
Cheers,
Ian
Thanks so much, Ian, both for your very thoughtful post and reminders of that beautiful sun, but most of all for the amazing new images you shared – such a variety and every one so terrific! Inspiring, every one.
Hey Judy!
Thanks to YOU for those kind words. How are things going for you these days?
Cheers,
Ian
Fun to see your photos from SF! The weather was great that week-end. Glad it was a great mental health break for you, also. Photographery does take you away from whatever may be bothering you.
GeorgAnna Griffin tacgurl17@gmail.com
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It really does take you away, doesn’t it? I think that’s my favourite part of it to be honest.
I hope you are well my friend!
Cheers,
Ian
Wise words and great photos Ian. Photography can certainly help bring a sense of calm and normality to these difficult times. Stay safe.
It certainly can Paul.
Thank you for the positivity Ian. Some great shots here too, my favourite is the one that’s almost completely black except for a shock of hair illuminated by light. Looks like a classic rock album cover. Oh and the lady in red, she looks so full of joy!
Thanks Dan. The lady in red was an amazing character, full of joy. It was a pleasure to meet her for a short time.
Cheers,
Ian
Well done, well done Ian, thumbs up and the best to you and your family!
And the same to you and yours my friend.
Thank you for that very positive way of looking at the world, Ian. It’s so easy right now to want to try and keep up with every latest bit of news, but it’s good to be able to step away from that and look at the work of other photographers and at one’s own attempts and marvel at the beauty of the world. My favourite of your SF shoot is number 16, with the car in the foreground and the green lamppost in the background and the single passer-by. All those diagonals lining up so beautifully: the reflection on the car, the shadow on the metal shutter and the skylights (?) on the right. Wonderful!
Hey Stuart!
We need to step away during times like this… it is how we re-build our resiliency, which is what gets us through difficult times.
You are also absolutely right about the world being a beautiful place my friend, I think of that whenever I am out with my camera.
Thank you for commenting!
Wonderful message, Ian. Thanks so much. Glad you got the chance to go to SF, and those shots are sublime.
It was wonderful to be back in San Francisco… it is a city that always inspires me.
I hope you are well my friend.