When I first built this website a month ago I had an admittedly short roadmap for a series of posts for this blog. But little did I know that the whole world would be turned upside down after just two posts. The health crisis in China about which I was vaguely aware arrived on our shores like a tsunami. Who knew that our health and care professionals, shop workers and truck drivers would become recognised as the most valued members of our society, and that toilet rolls would become the most valuable of assets? It’s difficult to imagine that life will ever be the same again. In many ways maybe it can change for the better.
We have an opportunity to recalibrate our assessment of the important things in life. Are those celebrities so worthy of our attention and their mega salaries? Do those captains of industry all really deserve to be paid so much? What value do they contribute to the greater good? Who are the true heroes in this shrinking world?
Do we really need so many choices? Is there any point to all those material possessions with which we surround ourselves (yes I have my fair share)?
Our limited daily excursions outside of our homes might enable us to focus more on what is on our doorstep. Do we really need those weekend breaks or exotic holidays? As the airline industry fights for survival perhaps we have to accept that the days of cheap flights are over? Flying may once again become the preserve of those rich in time and money. For the rest of us maybe we should spend more time appreciating the beauty that surrounds us?
When it comes to my photographic endeavours I, as well as many other photographers, have two choices. During this period of confinement and restricted movement I could down tools. Or use the opportunity to do all the housekeeping and admin work that I usually put off because I just want to go out and take photographs. So I’ve been trying to figure out with my limited skills how to improve this website. I’ve been working on my photo editing skills as I seek to master the tools that I use.
But I have also been working on different photographic skills. During my exercise period each day I walk in the landscape that surrounds me here on Salisbury Plain. I’m lucky that I can get out into remote countryside without having to resort to the car, which is not permitted here. So I take my camera with me as I walk and try to concentrate on small details of form, tone, colour and light, creating a more abstract body of work. A couple of my photographer friends are doing the same and we have been posting the results on our Instagram feeds each day. Take a look at @stevedixon_creative and @nigelhudsonphotography.
For my own part I have created a new gallery on the Portfolio page of this website entitled Images From My Doorstep. When this is all over it’s going to be interesting to see what I produced.
These are worrying times but hopefully some good will come of it, and we will emerge as better people.