isolation 2020

by John Unwin

Feelings of being locked inside came from initially looking through the door window onto the outside world. In the beginning stages there was a greater feeling of disconnection.

shelter in place

Original notes

Feelings of being locked inside came from initially looking through the door window onto the outside world. In the beginning stages there was a greater feeling of disconnection.

Image description

A window frame is visible, with a yellow sign that reads ‘Property Protected By’ in the lower left corner. The glass is dirty and has some visible tape along the edges. Outside the window, there are bare trees and a blurred building in the background.

Hashtags

window sign trees building view glass tape outdoors

no swimming

Original notes

With a limited walking range, our public swimming pool conveyed a melancholy feel in the spring sunlight. The pool would not have been open at the time I took the picture.

Image description

A black and white image of an empty swimming pool area. A slide is visible on the right, leading into the pool, which is devoid of water. In the foreground, there is a metal ladder and several stacked chairs, with a grassy area in the center and a building in the background.

Hashtags

pool slide empty chairs ladder grass building blackandwhite

lonely scooter

Image description

A black and white image of a scooter standing upright on a concrete sidewalk. The scooter has a black pole with a white base and wheels. In the background, there are trees and a vehicle parked on the street, slightly blurred.

Hashtags

scooter sidewalk blackandwhite trees vehicle concrete outdoors suburban waiting adventure childhood stillness serene blurred composition

is it time?

Original notes

Drinking and cooking shows — stay-at-home activities.

Image description

The image shows several bottles inside a refrigerator. The bottles are arranged closely together, with some having colored caps. There are also ice cubes or ice balls on the shelf below the bottles. The lighting is dim, highlighting the bottles and ice.

Hashtags

bottles ice refrigerator drinks refreshments cold shelf beverages

closed

Original notes

After a short period the lockdown was extended to parks and playgrounds.

Image description

A playground is visible behind black metal bars. In the foreground, a sign reads ‘GROUND CLOSED’ in red letters. The playground features colorful equipment including slides, climbing structures, and a small gazebo-like structure, with a gravel surface and grassy areas surrounding it.

Hashtags

playground closed sign equipment slides climbing gravel grass

yet another police line

Original notes

police line

Image description

A playground structure with a slide and a roof is visible. The slide is red and curves downward. There is a large, cartoonish face at the base of the slide, and police tape reading ‘POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS’ is draped across the structure. The background features bare trees and a gravel ground.

Hashtags

playground slide trees policetape caution outdoor children fun structure nature gravel whimsical safety quiet space

school’s out

Original notes

An empty school playground — kids all at home.

Image description

A playground structure is visible in the foreground, featuring a slide, climbing bars, and a rope ladder. Behind it, there is a building with large windows and a sloped roof. The scene is set in a barren area with cracked pavement and several puddles, and leafless trees are in the background.

Hashtags

playground slide trees building asphalt puddles winter blackandwhite

blue shoe

Original notes

There are many examples of objects found in unexpected configurations — a left shoe insert signaling absence and deterioration.

Image description

A torn, blue shoe insole lies on a cracked asphalt surface. The insole has a jagged edge and is partially worn away. The background features a mix of dark and light gravel textures.

Hashtags

shoe insole blue asphalt cracked urban worn texture detail ground

water fountains were not in use

Original notes

Not in use but cool in its way.

Image description

The image shows a metallic circular object with a smooth surface, featuring a small cylindrical protrusion at the top left. There are two circular components on the surface, one with a hole in the center. The background is dark, emphasizing the metallic texture of the object.

Hashtags

metal circular surface protrusion components texture dark photography close-up design contrast details blackandwhite

police line

Original notes

Children’s amusements now a police line.

Image description

A playground scene features several white swing frames arranged in a row. A police tape reading ‘POLICE LINE DO NOT CROSS’ is draped across the swings. The ground is covered with wood chips, and a bench is visible in the background, along with trees and buildings.

Hashtags

playground swings police tape woodchips bench trees urban

plastic knife

Original notes

Plastic knife — composite image made to do something new.

Image description

A blue plastic knife is lying flat on a light-colored concrete surface. The knife casts a shadow that is visible beneath it. The concrete has a textured appearance with small stones and specks throughout.

Hashtags

knife blue plastic concrete shadow texture everyday urban

same as yesterday

Original notes

Tedium, waiting, and enforced family time.

Image description

A person sits on a dark couch with their head resting on one hand, looking down at their phone. They are wearing a light-colored shirt and shorts. A small dog is beside them, facing a window where a blurred sign with the text ‘THANK YOU’ is visible.

Hashtags

person dog couch window sign phone relaxation monochrome

not in use

Original notes

Disused water fountain.

Image description

A circular metal object with a hexagonal socket is positioned on a flat surface. Surrounding the object is a small pile of sand and various small stones. The background is a smooth, metallic surface that reflects light.

Hashtags

metal sand stones close-up texture industrial photography design

on the hunt for something

Original notes

Objects on a now-daily exercise walk.

Image description

The image shows a rectangular light fixture with a metal frame. Inside, there is a bulb surrounded by a transparent cover, which has a geometric shape. The background is dark, and the fixture is mounted on a flat surface that extends to the left.

Hashtags

light fixture design metal bulb transparent geometric dark

permitted walk

Original notes

Each day taking the same path for exercise, the same direction means that the morning sun becomes a recurring theme.

Image description

A winding path made of cracked concrete runs through a park. On the left, there are trees and a set of bleachers behind a fence. In the background, a street with houses and more trees is visible.

Hashtags

path park trees bleachers street concrete grass recreation

working in the basement

Original notes

A dirty basement window with the fly-screen acting as a screen for the leaves outside, the disconnected burglar alarm acting as a barrier. For me there are mixed feelings of having space and work to do from home (which is a privilege) counterbalanced by feelings of being constrained.

Image description

The image shows a textured surface with a pattern formed by shadows and light. Dark lines create a geometric shape, possibly a zigzag, against a backdrop of green and white hues. The background appears to have foliage, with some areas illuminated and others in shadow.

Hashtags

shadows light texture nature abstract geometric foliage pattern green white contrast art photography depth composition

locked up

Original notes

Be Best — locked basketball courts reminding me of the horrors for children on the USA’s southern border.

Image description

A close-up image of a padlock attached to a chain. The padlock is silver and has a logo on its surface. The background consists of a dark, blurred fence or gate structure.

Hashtags

padlock chain fence metal security blackandwhite close-up details urban image logo blurred structure composition

forgotten playthings

Original notes

Searching — looking for light on a kids’ playground.

Image description

The image shows a circular, metallic panel with a shiny surface. Five red gears of varying sizes are visible, with some featuring blue centers. The background is a blurred mix of colors, possibly indicating a playground setting.

Hashtags

gears red metal playground colorful design light imagination

no fun

Original notes

Children’s parks shut down like a crime scene.

Image description

A brightly colored playground structure is visible, featuring blue, yellow, and red elements. Yellow caution tape is draped across the foreground, indicating restricted access. In the background, blurred trees are visible, along with a red fence.

Hashtags

playground caution colorful safety outdoors children structure fence

surplus

Original notes

As time went by the warning became mundane.

Image description

A sign partially obscured by a wooden fence. The sign features the words ‘SAVE’ and ‘STAY’ in bold letters, with two hearts in between. The background consists of a textured brick wall, and a circular emblem is visible at the bottom of the sign.

Hashtags

sign hearts stay save fence brick emblem blackandwhite

rainbow

Original notes

After a storm comes a rainbow.

Image description

A colorful poster features the phrase ‘After a Storm comes a RAINBOW’ in large, painted letters. The text is arranged above a broad, vibrant rainbow with concentric arcs in various colors, including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. There are blue raindrop shapes above the text, and the poster has a white background.

Hashtags

poster rainbow art colorful message hope storm inspiration

discarded mask

Original notes

As time went by, the amount of discarded gloves, masks, and assorted PPE accumulated — people had queued up for what is now garbage.

Image description

A blue disposable face mask lies on a dark surface, partially covered by fallen leaves. The mask is folded and has white ear straps. Green plant material is also visible near the mask.

Hashtags

mask leaves discarded nature blue environment urban plant

the media

Original notes

Pandemic special — each day the same reports of lies, misinformation, sensationalism, and punditry.

Image description

The image features a close-up of a person’s face, primarily focusing on their eyes and glasses. The background is an abstract mix of red and blue colors with a textured appearance. The surface appears to have speckles and irregular patterns, possibly resembling dust or scratches.

Hashtags

close-up eyes glasses abstract red blue texture art

fossil

Original notes

Patterns of leaves in concrete — seen on the many walks round the same space.

Image description

A leaf is embedded in a textured, light-colored surface. The leaf is detailed, showing its veins and edges. In the background, there are faint lines and patterns on the surface.

Hashtags

leaf imprint texture nature blackandwhite details surface patterns

social distancing

Original notes

Social distancing — a wet basketball court with no people.

Image description

The image shows a portion of a basketball court with a wet surface. White lines marking the court are visible, including a three-point arc and part of the key. The background is blurred, and there are reflections on the wet pavement.

Hashtags

basketball court wet lines reflection urban sports outdoor

you’ve got this

Original notes

A sign with the text ‘YOU’VE GOT THIS!’ — an encouragement in difficult times.

Image description

A sign with the text ‘YOU’VE GOT THIS!’ written in large, bold letters. The letters are outlined in black, with the words ‘YOU’VE’ and ‘THIS!’ in black and ‘GOT’ in a circular shape. The background is white, and the letters are colored in a mix of black and teal.

Hashtags

sign text motivation encouragement black teal white bold

stronger together

Original notes

Many posters and street signs of hope started to appear — these from our local elementary school.

Image description

A sign features the words ‘STRONGER’ in red and orange letters, with a pink heart symbol below it. The word ‘TOGETHER’ is written in blue and green letters. The background is white and the letters are painted in a colorful, uneven style.

Hashtags

sign stronger together heart colorful paint message support

cough

Original notes

Floating about - we see the virus in many objects.

Image description

A dark, spiky seed pod hangs from a thin stem against a light background. Surrounding the pod are green leaves, some of which are blurred. The image is in black and white, giving it a soft, muted appearance.

Hashtags

seed pod leaves blackandwhite nature photography botanical spiky

our dog looking out on a still world

Original notes

Day after day a similar but less animated view.

Image description

A silhouette of a dog sits on a couch, looking out a large window. Outside, there are bare trees and a grassy area, with a building in the background. The scene is dimly lit, emphasizing the contrast between the dark interior and the lighter exterior.

Hashtags

dog couch window trees grass building silhouette interior

fractured memory

Original notes

Composite textured image that, to me, symbolized a loss of memory when coming back to the study of isolation in 2020.

Image description

The image shows a cracked surface resembling concrete, with leaf imprints visible. The colors are muted, featuring shades of blue, gray, and hints of green. The background is dark and textured, contrasting with the lighter central area.

Hashtags

cracked concrete leaves imprints blue gray texture nature