This has certainly been a different year. Our first planned big event was the NEC Photography Show in Birmingham which Colin and I have attended for a number of years. We always greatly look forward to it and it takes a lot of logistical planning. But this year it was cancelled! It was due to take place just after the first lockdown.
Due to Covid 19 there were heavy restrictions here in the UK. Colin and I live in the South East of England but we don’t live in the same county. This made life more complicated when it came to meeting up – especially as many meeting spaces were now closed or needed pre-booking. Despite their diminished frequency we did, however, manage to meet up on a number of occasions and keep in touch. It was tough for both families.
Quite a lot of my usual inspiration comes from visiting exhibitions, with the National Gallery, Mall Galleries, the Tate Modern and the Hastings Contemporary Gallery (formerly known as the Jerwood Gallery) being particular favourites. Visits have been curtailed and, though I have explored their online offerings, I find the challenges of being dyslexic affect how much I am able to enjoy them e.g. reading subtitles takes a lot more concentration. Unfortunately the commentary is not always up to Ben Horne standard!
Further inspiration comes from books on my bookshelf and from more than a few people whom I follow on You Tube. These were very useful resources during this year of lockdown.
For me personally being locked down felt more like being locked in. Why? I wear two hearing aids, but I did not know just how much I depend on my lip reading skills! Face masks make it impossible to lip read people!
There were some real positives this year. I discovered two photography books both of which I have found delightful. These came about because both photographers have had more time in lockdown to use their creativity to create these books, giving great pleasure to people who have accessed their work.
The first book is by Ben Horne entitled ‘Between the Wind’. I came across Ben on YouTube where I was impressed with the commentary he gave to his photographs. He has an engaging speaking voice which made for a relaxing watch. I can recommend both his presence on YouTube and his book.
The second book is called ‘Solace’ by Paul Sanders. I was alerted to Paul’s local exhibition on Facebook, and was able to meet him and discuss his work. We found we had many life experiences in common, and his inscription to me in the front of ‘Solace’ is one that means a lot to me.
Colin has found the time to make his own shift camera lens and he has been carrying out some DIY tasks. Colin has also been able to keep posting images on the Facebook GCM page. He has completed a very good review for STC Clip Filters, and I am working on some further reviews on two more STC products. Keep a watch on our blog for these.
I also now (nearly!) have a new working space, an outside studio in ‘midnight blue’. It just needs insulating and then it will be up and running. I hope to use it a great deal in 2021. As with so many projects, it has been affected by the coronavirus, as the friend with carpentry skills who has been helping with the construction currently needs to shield with his family. Plus my own health has been up and down this year.
As we look forward to 2021 I am aware of the need to be hopeful. Those clichés that we write on Christmas cards wishing you all a ‘happy and healthy New Year’ are no longer words to be taken lightly but have a real potency. Those are my sincere wishes for you and your families.
I know that Colin agrees with me!
Mark