Category: In Lockdown

I’m Siobhan, editor of Breaking Glass. Given that much of the magazine’s content comes from live music, exhibitions and the like, as we got a few weeks into quarantine I wondered whether there would be enough content to keep things going. When I asked if any photographers wanted to have their lockdown photos featured I was amazed at the responses and the beautiful shots that came in. I’m hugely grateful to everyone who contributed, not least because you helped motivate me to take some of my own – I thought maybe it was time I shared a few…

I live in Worthing on the south coast (this is usually followed with ‘near Brighton’ for anyone not local). Outside of my day job, I usually spend the rest of my time shooting gigs and festivals and working on the magazine. When I started Breaking Glass at the end of 2018, I’d no idea of where it would take me. It’s been, and continues to be, an absolute pleasure to have so many talented people get involved along the way.

I’ll be honest, I find it inordinately difficult to photograph things that stay still and with natural light on my side – stick me in a dark venue with a moving target any day. Nonetheless, it’s been interesting to look at what I normally take for granted on my doorstep in a different light, and these photos are all taken within about a mile or so of my house. Some of them are currently making up a digital exhibition for Worthing Museum.

All photos © 16 Beasley St Photography – aside from on here you can find me on my website and on Instagram and Twitter

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

9th June 2020

In today’s feature, photographer Lauren Fautley shares her current project reflecting on the recurrent themes of day to day living in quarantine…

Lauren Fautley, Lincoln

‘As a nation and worldwide we have had to adapt to a new way of life. My series, 9 days in Self-Isolation, documents 9 days of this newfound state of inertia with my partner in our Lincoln flat. My work focuses on the mundane, repetitive nature of my daily routine during this self-isolation period.

9am

Portrait

8am

Facetime

I normally work as a portrait photographer but during this time I have geared my work towards a more documentary approach.’

11pm

Window

You can see more of Lauren’s photography and follow her on Instagram

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

20th May 2020

 

 

 

It feels very fitting to close this week’s quarantine features with photographer Nigel King, giving us a glimpse into how one community is managing to get together whilst following all the rules on staying apart…

‘I’m Nigel King from Nottingham.

Local residents near to me organised a socially distant game of community lockdown bingo. This was my opportunity to get my camera out at last and shoot an actual event rather than just the cats and plants in my back garden. It was a rather jolly event with everyone wanting to do it again soon. I certainly hope so.

During the lockdown I’ve been spending time looking back at shots from my archive library, doing a bit of reprocessing where I think I could make some improvements now. I’ve also been having a go with my macro lens with some not entirely successful attempts at focus stacking in Photoshop.

When it’s all over I’m looking forward to getting back to the live music, festivals and other public events that we are normally well served with here in Nottingham.’

All photos are taken and copyrighted by Nigel. You can see more of Nigel’s work, including his music and events photography, on his website. For regular posts, find and follow Nigel on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

8th May 2020

Today’s lockdown feature is with Brian Smith, whose love of photography across a range of subjects and styles is apparent in this varied collection of shots…

‘My name is Brian Smith, I’m located in Oldbury, West Midlands and am an enthusiastic amateur photographer. I run a photo club at work which includes both our suppliers and clients. I have a mixed approach to photography from still life to portrait/person, and love low key images.

I have been working from home now for five weeks, only going out for essentials or taking the wife to work. It’s been challenging with some days more productive than others.

I love all things old and have included some photos of my 1943 German typewriter; if only it could say what it has written

Following on from old things, I’ve Photoshopped some images to look old

My favourite images are low key so I had to include some of those too

And lastly, wildlife with birds in our garden…’

All photos are taken and copyrighted by Brian. If you’d like to see more of his work, you can find and follow him on Instagram and Facebook.

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

7th May 2020

Taking a fresh look at the everyday things around him, photographer Steve White’s isolation shots take on a documentary style, capturing the unusual times we’re living in…

‘My name is Steve White and I’m in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, with my wife and twin daughters.

I’d normally be out shooting gigs a couple of times a week in Leeds, Middlesbrough, Stockton and York and then spending far too much time processing all the images.

Lockdown has been an interesting time so far. My day job is a teacher and the transition to online teaching and learning was a very steep learning curve for myself, students and a lot of parents of those students. I’m missing the gigs. Rumours that venues, clubs and pubs will be one of the last things to reopen isn’t good news but if it keeps people safe, then so be it.

On a positive note it’s given me much more time to spend with my family and it’s been great spending more evenings together. I’ve also spent too much money buying music by bands I’ve now got more time to listen to.

The last time I picked up my DSLR was to shoot The Boomtown Rats in Minehead at the beginning of March. Since the lockdown I’ve just been documenting daily life with my phone or my Olympus. Walks around our now deserted town, daily exercise strolls, home haircuts, games in the garden. Photographing the things I always notice but rarely shoot – sunlight glinting through a sprinkler, car parks, daft shadow shapes. Anything that catches my eye. I suppose it’s just a record of a time in history I hope we never have to go through again.’

All photos are taken and copyrighted by Steve. To see more of his work check out his Flickr site and follow him on Instagram. 

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

6th May 2020

Using the changes in natural light to frame his photography, Jake O’Brien is staying busy and creative during lockdown…

‘My name is Jake O’Brien, I’m from Banstead in Surrey.

These photos have been taken during the isolation period. The majority consist of exterior shots that I have taken whilst I was in my garden, which has revealed a lot of beautiful shots. For example, the blossom was shot during sunset on Easter Sunday. The campervan shot was taken whilst I was in week two of isolation and I went to Epsom Downs for a recce as I know that it offers beautiful views of London as well as forms of transportation that you wouldn’t normally expect, such as this vehicle.

The shots of the sunlight seeping through onto a bed and guitar were taken during the last stages of sunset, the blinds deflected the sunlight onto my guitar that was standing upright against my wall. Throughout the majority of the shots I’ve used the sunlight to my advantage. I have been able to see normal household features in a completely different way because of it, therefore it has made a huge contribution when it comes to my motivation behind the photos that I have taken.

Usually I would be shooting bands and artists in the Surrey/London district. I thoroughly enjoy taking photographs at musical events as it intertwines my two main passions, music and photography. As well as that I get to meet fantastic people, whether it’s the band  members themselves or people from the music photography community online. As a result of music photography I have been able to discover Breaking Glass Magazine, so I am thankful for that.

In terms of coping with lockdown I have managed to distract myself whether that’s through music, guitar, writing books, taking photographs, exercising and making short home movies that don’t have any significant meaning, but they are a great way of diverting my mind from this terrible virus. Subsequent to lockdown I am looking forward to taking photos again at musical events, playing music with my mates, seeing family members and eventually going to university in September.’

All photos are taken and copyrighted by Jake. You can check out more of his work on his website and follow him on Instagram.

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

5th May 2020

Looking at how we cope and support each during isolation, Rebecca O’Flaherty captures life from a sibling’s perspective in this set of insightful shots…

’My name is Rebecca O’Flaherty and I am a photographer based in Northern Ireland.

My practice during isolation has focused on how my younger sister has been dealing with the break-up of her natural routine and how myself, as an older sister, have had to try and keep her routine as natural as possible, which has been a task.

How do you keep a younger person filled with imagination and adventure entertained when they are unable to physically do these things naturally in their daily life? I’ve allowed my sister to explore her imagination by putting it creatively onto paper, mainly through drawings, which I have then tried to reconstruct while photographing landscapes on our daily walks.

The work shows the suspended time of reality by creating a very dreamlike space within the landscapes and portraits I’ve created of her, allowing us as the viewer to almost see the imagination within her mind.

I personally think this is a very positive way of looking at such an uncertain time within our era and I hope it brings many people delight, as it has me.’

All photos are taken and copyrighted by Rebecca. If you would like to see more of her work on this and other projects, you can find her on Instagram.

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

4th May 2020

In isolation, photographers are finding new subjects to shoot, including themselves. Completing this week’s lockdown features, Jenn Cliff-Wilcock takes an innovative approach to self-portraiture and captures the empty streets of Liverpool…

‘My name is Jenn Cliff-Wilcock, I’m a music photographer and videographer, and owner of Lens Of A Wool.

Self Portraits
I’ve never particularly felt comfortable being in front of the camera, so I thought I’d take the time during isolation, where there is no one else to take photos of, to try out some self portraits. One set I did during the day, and the other during the night. There wasn’t any particular theme or concept I was running with, just the aim of feeling a bit more relaxed and learning what positioning and lighting works with the camera.

Daytime
I felt the one perk of having a broken blind during this shoot, shaped light. I loved using the strip of light to bring a bit more of an artistic flare to the photo, albeit quite naturally and conveniently.

Night-time
Things got a bit messy at 2am, trying to channel my self expression through dramatic lighting set ups, fake blood and face paint.

Street Photography
I live in Liverpool, in my personal opinion, one of the most beautiful cities out there, with contrasts between the old and new architecture, and the nature and urban contrasts that run through the streets, I can’t get enough of it. During lockdown, I’ve been doing my best to have a wander through my area, Wavertree, as well as through the city centre; there is this weird emptiness throughout the place.’

All photos are taken and copyrighted by Jenn. You can see a wide range of her work on her website and follow her across social media on Instagram / Facebook / Twitter and YouTube. 

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

1st May 2020

Documenting her quarantine on film, Olivia Sofia Ferrara is creating a collection of video diaries that reflect the unusual times we are living in. The stills shown here retain the cinematic mood…

‘My name is Olivia Sofia Ferrara and I’m from Kent.

One evening, about a week into isolation, I set myself the task of creating daily videos of My Isolation with the aim to capture the beauty in the everyday. And it made me really become present within my surroundings as I was having to look for shots, but within these tight parameters of the lockdown.

The photos are screen grabs from the videos I have created so far from my experience with isolation. I hope you like them.

Outside of lockdown I would normally be shooting gigs, theatre shows, headshots, etc. However, as I had recently moved to London I am looking to expand my repertoire into property photography, family/pet photoshoots and professional headshots.’

All photos are part of Olivia’s My Isolation project and copyrighted by her. If you would like to see the videos they come from you can follow Olivia on Instagram and find more of her work on her website.

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

30th April 2020

Still finding time to be creative between keyworking shifts, photographer Dave Harford is seeking out new subjects and developing his skills in macro shooting…

‘I’m Dave Harford and I’m usually a landscape photographer based in Worcester. The lockdown has been really frustrating due to beautiful weather and sunsets (my favourite). 

I’m a key worker so manage to take the camera to work with me. I’ve managed a couple of landscape shots and the M5 as you can see at night. But for me, lockdown has widened my approach to photography. It’s taught me new things and to see new things. I’ve been experimenting with macro, from taking photos of my children’s eyes, to candles, insects and pencils. Strange!

April has also gifted us supermoon and full moons which have to be captured. Thanks for taking the time to look, enjoy and keep shooting. Think outside of the box.’

All photos are taken and copyrighted by Dave. You can see a great selection of his work on his website and follow him on Instagram and Twitter. 

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

29th April 2020

Today we meet photographer Michelle Cop, taking the opportunity to connect with nature and bring us some beautiful shots from her garden and neighbourhood…

‘My name is Michelle Cop, I’m in Brisbane, Australia.

These photos are all nature shots from either my garden or close distance to my house; with all the lockdowns it’s nice to appreciate the natural wonders of this world.

I would normally be taking photos of concerts and shows or sporting events, so it’s been nice learning different subjects.

I’m actually enjoying the break, but can’t wait to get back to live music; music is my life so definitely  missing that.’

All photos are taken and copyrighted by Michelle. You can see more of her work and follow her on Instagram and Facebook.

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

Kicking off this week’s In Lockdown features, we catch up with dexterous photographer and videographer Lou Smith, currently swapping nightlife for nature…

‘My name is Lou Smith, I live in East Dulwich, South London.

I am mostly known for my photo and video documentation of the underground music scene, specifically centred around the South London scene, even more specifically The Windmill, Brixton over the past decade.

I am probably most closely associated with my photos and video work of Fat White Family, having produced a couple of their promos and a single cover and have the most comprehensive image catalogue of their performances anywhere.

During lockdown I had been looking at new subjects to point my camera at. A friend posted on FB that she wanted to investigate her body for skin mites and did anyone have a microscope. I remembered my old microscope and dug it out. I had some fun playing a what is it game where people had to guess what I had under the microscope today.

Alongside this, and because of the large number of hours I spent at home and in the garden, I started to try to photograph the foxes that live there. One young vixen in particular became really quite ‘friendly’ and started to come really close, due to the promise of peanuts and mealworms. I have really loved having her around, filming and photographing her and watching her interactions with my cat Wiz.

The Windmill, Brixton is to me as to many others virtually a second home. I can’t wait to get back into the steaming throng of the live music family that lives there too and be in the thick of it once more. In the meantime, I am thoroughly enjoying my new muses.

I think generally, I am learning quite a lot about myself during the lockdown. I think I am a natural introvert (my camera has served as some kind of social crutch in the past, and has opened me up to a much wider experience than I might otherwise have had) so I am actually finding some great positives in the lockdown. I have used the time to kick a forty plus year smoking habit and to take up yoga, cooking and meditation to help steer me through. I have also loved the birdsong and relative freedom from air and noise pollution.’

All images are taken and copyrighted by Lou Smith. You can see more of his work and take an immersive look into the London music scene as viewed through his lens on his website. For regular updates follow Lou on Instagram and YouTube.

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

27th April 2020

Completing this week’s photography features, Clare Ratcliffe is using her time in quarantine to capture her local area and discover the wildlife and nature on her doorstep (not forgetting a fine looking collection of beverages too!). Join us again each weekday next week as the series continues…

‘I’m Clare Ratcliffe, a keen amateur photographer from Peterborough, UK, who loves to shoot local gigs/festivals (especially this time of year) and photograph our travels abroad, which has all stopped since we were put on lockdown on 23rd March – my birthday!!

I’m currently in lockdown with my husband, Mark, although we are both still working; me working from home for a media company and Mark for a bread company – #keyworkers!

The pictures I’ve taken since lockdown include my birthday flowers, pictures taken in my back garden (which luckily seems to attract a lot of wildlife), various objects around the house and whenever I can get out for a walk during the day – we live next to a large country park.’

You can find more of Clare’s photos and follow her on Facebook and Instagram

Continuing our lockdown series, today’s feature is with music photographer Jennifer Mullins. Uncovering the hidden gems of what is usually the busiest city in Arizona, her shots manage to reflect the past whilst documenting life today…

‘My name is Jennifer Mullins and I live in Phoenix, AZ.

I usually photograph live music shows in Phoenix as well as portraits but since these avenues have been shut down I have taken to going downtown to explore historic districts and neighborhoods that I’ve never been to. The streets are pretty much abandoned, with the exception of walkers and bikers. I’m enjoying taking the time to enjoy older architecture as well as capturing the emptiness of the city.

I photograph in color and black and white, depending on the subject and the feeling that I want to translate into the finished product.  Since I live alone, the black and white empty spaces reflect the isolation that I feel from time to time.

The thing that I look forward to the most when the lockdown is over is physical touch. I miss the hugs that I’d get when I was at shows and the familiar faces.’

All photos are taken and copyrighted by Jennifer. You can see more of her work and follow her on Instagram.

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

23rd April 2020

Today’s lockdown feature is with events photographer Marge Bradshaw, showing us around the empty streets of her hometown and seeking out welcome corners of nature to capture… 

‘I’m Marge Bradshaw, I’m in Bolton, Greater Manchester (or Lancashire, depending how you mark your boundaries!) with my husband and step-son.

These lockdown shots represent the two main creative outlets in my life right now. Firstly, capturing the changes to previously familiar landscape and street furniture on my daily walk; and secondly my garden. I’m spending more time than ever in our small bit of outdoor sanctuary, which has given me a creative focus and helped my mental health and wellbeing.

I’d normally be shooting culture and live events like gigs, festivals, theatre or workshops for museums, galleries and heritage sites. Plus corporate awards and a spot of family documentary.

When it’s over I’m most looking forward to photographing human beings again! And going to see my Mum, who’s looking after my Step-Dad by herself at home – he’s in the advanced stages of mixed dementia.

I’m coping with lockdown by trying to pick up my camera every day, finding creative opportunities in even the smallest, mundane, everyday objects lying around the house. My top lockdown tip is to follow the 5 Ways to Wellbeing: connect, take notice, learn, give and be active. Works wonders!’

All photos are taken and copyrighted by Marge. You can see more of her work on her website and follow her on Instagram and Twitter for a great range of photographic subjects and styles.

Next up in our series of lockdown photography features we meet Teresa Lyle, who is managing to take a lighter look at the current situation with a creative project recording her day to day life with an unusual housemate…

‘My name is Teresa, I’m currently based in Northern Ireland.

The images are from the Series When Cobhídh Came To Stay.  Isolating alone, the work uses art and humour as a coping mechanism with the lockdown in place due to Covid-19. I have created a room-mate to interact with and the images represent activities carried out by many people during lockdown.

Alternatively if the lockdown hadn’t have taken place I would be currently working on protest art and working towards a Masters in Photography.

The project is keeping my mind occupied during the lockdown making the process a little bit easier to deal with.

Stay home and stay safe.’

All photos are created, taken and copyrighted by Teresa. When Cobhídh Came To Stay and other photography projects can be found on Teresa’s Instagram – you can view and follow her work there.

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

21st April 2020

In a new series starting today on Breaking Glass, we’ll be featuring photographers across the UK and overseas, checking in to see how they’re doing during lockdown and what they’re shooting. First up is Shane O’Neill, making the most of the deserted streets with some bold cityscapes…

’My name is Shane O’Neill, I’m in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in lockdown with my boyfriend.

The photos that I have included are from my walks during lockdown. I have been leaving home as little as possible but, when I do go out, I take my camera with me to document what I see.

Before lockdown happened I was working on a project photographing drag artists in Northern Ireland, both portrait and documentary, and I am really looking forward to getting back to working on that.

This lockdown situation has been strange and it really shows how important the little things in life are, so stay positive, stay safe, stay creative.’

All photos are taken and copyrighted by Shane. Check out and follow his work on his website and Instagram accounts for a variety of  photography and dedicated portrait shots.

Links to the rest of our series of features with photographers in lockdown can be found here

20th April 2020