Tim Ewbank suggested an on-line Photo Forum during the Covid 19 lockdown His idea was to make creative use of the extra time we have on our hands by taking part in home-based photo challenges. Pictures would be sent to him and then discussed by the group in Zoom sessions. Past members of the Forum were enthusiastic and Tim set ‘Locked Down’ as the first challenge.
We Zoomed on the 20th April. Sixteen members submitted 45 images, which Tim grouped under four headings: new abnormal; time to stand and stare; all changed, changed utterly; and creative interpretations. Submissions included straight photographs and the use of techniques such as Photoshop manipulations and photo stacking.
Subjects ranged from the literal, such as photographs of locks, to metaphorical invocations of the virus at the heart of our predicament. Subjects used in the interpretations included: mask wearers; blossoms and flowers; motivational window decorations; deserted parks, streets and buildings; and lockdown therapy (jigsaws, sewing, etc). Across the submissions only a handful of people were shown, itself a representation of lockdown.
All images can be seen at https://www.zimbushboy.org/lockdown-2020.