Let me ask a question. Have you been coming across memories during your Lockdown? For myself, I have been immersed in old photographs and these have been useful with my new photography website (link below).
I cannot hurry myself while I look at these old prints as all of the memories come flooding back. As time ticks on, these somehow become increasingly more valuable.
More and more I find myself becoming more interested in the stories people have and often ponder the routes we take that allow our lives to converge. As our lives converge, it might only be for a short, passing period of time. Other times those relationships endure for many years.
An example of this is Nicholas Oloo (above photograph). I first met him in 2005 when we, as a family, spent some time volunteering in Kenya. We were helping with the finishing touches of an orphanage at a place called Yala, about 20 miles from Kisumu. Nicholas was a leader in the local church there and we have stayed in touch ever since. He is very charismatic, well educated, faithful, incredibly wise and insightful. I met him again during my 2006 visit to Kenya and a couple years later here in the UK. A privilege to know him.
To accompany the portrait of him, is a photograph of a man who was hired as his chef. I imagine he was hired while we were visiting, rather than a permanent arrangement. He made us an incredible meal in a very rudimentary kitchen. I wish I could remember his name.
So you know, these photographs were made using old fashioned film and then printed in an equally old fashioned darkroom. In a darkroom the magic continues as the photograph comes to life in the developing tray, illuminated by the dim red safety light. I love those deep, rich warm tones of some lovely printing paper. Quite magical.
So back to Lockdown. I dare say I will be coming across other boxes of photographs in our loft. We have hundreds of colour photographs of the girls growing up and seeing those will undoubtedly sidetrack me for several hours!
New photography website: https://doughook.co.uk