Tag: covid-19

A glimmer of light

by Luís Costa, posted in Everyday life

I moved into a new house last December, which coincided with the tightening of the circulation restrictions in Lisbon and soon after a full lockdown in January. Even though I love this house, one of my only complaints was that it didn’t get any direct sunlight… until now! Just a few days ago I noticed that at the end of the afternoon the sunlight is finally hitting my windows, which put a big ol’ smile on my face! What a great metaphor for the situation we’re currently living, hopefully the Covid-19 vaccines will bring some light back into our lives as well.

– Home, 8th of March, 2021

More homescapes

by Luís Costa, posted in Everyday life

I have a feeling this will be the only kind of photos I will be able to take in the next few weeks. Just like the rest of Europe, Portugal is also dealing with a dramatic increase in Covid-19 infections and the government is toughening the containment measures. This weekend is the first with movement restrictions since lifting the lockdown a few months ago, but it probably won’t be long until we’re confined again… what a year, huh?

As a side note, I went with a cooler WB setting for these images to match the gloomier Autumn days.

– Home, 28th of October, 2020

“Hunker down” – a photo diary of life during lockdown

by Luís Costa, posted in Everyday life

I’ve always felt that random acts of kindness are one of the most beautiful things humans can do for each other, but they seem to be increasingly rare these days. So when about a month ago Timothy Michael – an American photographer I greatly admire – offered to send me a couple of his photobooks for free, I could hardly believe it. I would always be thrilled to get a gift like this, but in this particularly dark times we’re living in it felt extra special.

“Hunker down” is Tim’s photographic diary of his life during the Covid-19 lockdown in Noble County, USA, alongside his lovely wife and 2 gorgeous dogs. Just like myself, his dogs were the perfect excuse to go out on long walks during the lockdown, but unlike myself Tim put them to good use and created a tremendous body of work. His photos convey beautifully all of the emotions I think most of us felt during that period: the uncertainty, the fear and the melancholy, but also the more relaxed, joyous and intimate family moments that the confinement allowed.

Personally, I found it fascinating to have this glimpse into a reality that’s so distant from mine and yet so similar at its core: when push comes to shove, it will always be love, family and friends (2 legged and 4 legged) that will guide us through the storm.

On a final note, I’m curious to see how other people spent their confinements, so feel free to share in the comments links to your own photos of this period.