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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
mask leaves discarded nature blue environment urban plant
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
cracked concrete leaves imprints blue gray texture nature
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The deeply modelled concrete façade of Northwestern University Library, designed by Walter Netsch and opened in 1970.
The monumental limestone frame and dark glass of the Ryan Center’s recital-hall wing.
The Ryan Center for the Musical Arts, where limestone, glass and projecting forms meet the open landscape of the lakefront.
The curving lakefront façade of the Segal Visitors Center, framed by limestone and glass.
The formal lake-facing elevation of the Segal Visitors Center.
Caption: A bee at work—nature’s reminder that joy is found in the smallest, busiest moments.
Caption: A flower in full bloom, seen on a walk. Beauty doesn’t demand attention—it simply is.
