A year of transition , uncertainty and shortages , my lifestyle of choice was out of stock again during 2021 and I didn’t care much for the substitute !

Photographically this year was a challenge , my photography occupied a creative and physical safe space , meaningful motivation was hard to find but I remained receptive to the serendipitous gifts that my everyday delivered !

A misty afternoon walk during the first week of January led to a couple of memorable pictures , the symbolism of the pic below appears to reflect my frustrations for the early part of 2021 , I was ready to play but the pitch wasn’t safe !

Photographically I may of peaked too early , the best shot of the year turned up in week one but I’m saving that till last !

I naively believed that the vaccine rollout signaled the beginning of the end of the Covid 19 crisis , sadly my optimism was short lived , I had not factored in incompetent UK political leadership , a dysfunctional track and trace system and Covidiots , no matter how much the government talked up the pandemic recovery and talked down the Covid risk , I became more suspicious and confused by the mixed messaging !

I continued to work on my Testing Times project as the economic effects of the crisis became increasingly photographable , footfall in our towns and cities remained low , Street pictures remained hard to find and my misplaced optimism vanished !

A atmosphere of reluctance & ambivalence prevailed as uncertainty undermined any attempts to make informed decisions about anything !

I continued to work on my Testing Times project , 2021 was a year of mixed messaging and confusion !

The economic consequences of the pandemic became more noticeable …

I start every year slowly but 2021 possessed a level of lethargy that surpassed all previous levels of inactivity , admittedly mitigating circumstances existed but I was still struggling to see past the Covid crisis photographically and personally !

I remember visiting my local City with a sense of apprehension , Gloucester had been hollowed out during my lockdown absence , closed shops and socially distant queues were “ Normal” now !

Eventually I learned to look past the abundance of nothingness and started to see a personal socially distant somethingness , these were very Strange days ...

My photography needed a injection of fun as the atmosphere on the streets had become oppressive , pandemic themed Street Photography was not delivering the inner smile or creative kicks I needed !

I headed off into my local landscape seeking a new direction with a total disregard for conventional photographic technique, within minutes a huge mischievous smile returned to my face , as a rebellious approach and interpretation of the landscape helped me find my missing Mojo !

Intentional Camera Movement helped me find my motivation & creative mindset last year too, once again ICM helped me through dark days , never underestimate the healing powers of sunny days , open spaces and “BAD” camera technique , any port in a storm !

It’s easy to forget that Street photography should make you smile , as the bookies cynically say “When the fun stops , STOP” ?

I spent two days shooting this short series, exploiting serendipitous camera movement during long exposures !

My mood was lifted along with some of the Covid restrictions as the year progressed , I was ready for the next round of 2021 with a second jab in my arm and the illusion of greater safety , despite the disappointment of the European football final I managed to find a positive mindset and pursue my next Street “Masterpiece” !

Let me be clear I don’t ever expect to find a “Street Masterpiece” but I enjoy the search, especially if the sun is shining and I’m “Seeing it” !

My first serious trip of the year had become a Testing Times Project shoot , as August arrived I was determined to find my first “Proper” Street picture of the year , don’t get me wrong I had been looking but the moments were not finding me !

I was more than a little ring rusty , my Street photography “Skills” were still in lockdown , I was reminded of the “Use It OR Lose It” adage as I had lost it !

My photo incompetence mixed with UK consumer demand inspired my favorite blog headline of the year but I craved pictures , not “amusing” headlines or a Greggs pasty … …

Milk Shakes , Steak Bakes & Retakes !

Following many failures I persisted , kept looking and eventually captured a “Street Picture” worthy of the description , Hallelujah !

The self imposed pressure to produce a decent pic lifted and my inner smile returned .

I enjoy the search, especially if the sun is shining and I’m seeing it !

A City centre shoot in September delivered a unusually high number of decent shots , I’m a one “Keeper” per shoot sort of photographer , in fact if the truth be told I don’t usually achieve that , footfall was high , the sun was shining and life was wearing a smile !

On days like this I just accept the gifts without guilt , I know the picture opportunities will run dry soon enough …

This day was one of those days , it really did feel as if the pictures found me , I wish I could bottle and share the recipe for days like these …

This day was one of those days , it really did feel as if the pictures found me !

The summer lifestyle pictures dried up as the year progressed , life became thin and Street Photography became thinner !

Once again I was living off scraps , a shot here, a shot there , despite the lack of good opportunities I had a smile on my face and was enjoying the freedom of Street Photography , I was learning to appreciate life and celebrated the small hard-won wins !

Nothing has changed in the UK , Britain is still in a state and the times are still testing …

I’ve been so focused on my projects during the last six years that I had lost the fun element within my photography , having fully formed project ideas, aims and objectives helps me to “SEE” new pictures but the discipline of a focused project driven mindset can and does become a long term burden , the photography becomes work , not play !

I had a smile on my face and was enjoying the freedom of life and all things Street Photography !

My photographic motivations were examined thoroughly this year , it wasn’t a intentional audit of my behaviors , it was more of a accidental re-assessment of my photography by a bloke with time on his hands, following the completion of my State Of Britain & Testing Times photo projects !

I raised the dreaded “Why” question with myself and acknowledged some uncomfortable home truths !

On a personal level the last two years really have been “Testing Times” …

Covid is not the only shit show in town …

Nothing has changed in the UK , Britain is still in a state and the times are still testing

I’m writing this with only a few weeks remaining of the year , uncertainty seems to be the only certainty for all of us , I intend to continue with my one day at time approach , it has served me well so far …

My photography lacks focus and direction at the moment but I’m enjoying the open space of being project free , all work and no play etc ,etc …

I keep adding a picture here and there to my State Of Britain series and Testing times project but both projects are finished , I’m just fiddling at the edges , nothing has changed in the UK , life is still a shit show …

My relationship with photography is changing , my photo- itch still needs scratching but not as often as it once did , I hope that changes as society and everyday life recovers ?

My weekly blogging activities are also under review as Photoland like my blog appears to be standing still or at best repeating itself , a weekly blog is a big ask when street life is suppressed in the UK !

Sometimes the subject does not need any help , just a witness !

Looking back ,the highlight of my photographic year was the two day ICM photo landscape shoot that created hundreds of failures and only a few “winners” , the edit lasted longer than I expected , a two day shoot led to a two week edit ??? Being tethered to the computer for two weeks is not my idea of fun !

Every frame needs to be examined very carefully when adopting this “experimental” ICM technique , most frames fail on technical grounds before you get around to considering the “too much blur” or aesthetic questions !

Although these images are captured and processed digitally they are not altered , no shenanigans here , this is ICM with integrity, if such a thing exists ?

I took refuge in the local landscape more than I realised this year , accessing good local locations when the conditions are just right is a huge advantage , I almost always come back with something …

Street Photography still delivers my biggest smiles and most surprises , it is the most rewarding form of photography for me and is what I want to do when “Normality” returns ?

Sadly Street Photography feels like a bendable thing that does not want bend at the moment , a square peg , round hole dilemma. The new normal is not creating the pre-pandemic “Street” vibe I once enjoyed , I hope its not lost forever ?

Street Photography is dependent on the hustle n bustle , light and shade of life , when life stands still , Street Photography stops !

December was kick started by a misty morning shoot at one of my fave local locations , the light at this place can be really special , it would be rude not to shoot these pics when the conditions are right !

A Contre-Jour approach to urban locations gives the work a classic feel , reminds me that we all walk in the footprints of those who have gone before …

December , We all walk in the footprints of those who have gone before …

I sincerely hope that you have managed to make a “somethingness” of 2021 both personally and photographically … .

I started 2021 slowly and finished the year even slower , I’m not complaining , just being here feels like a major achievement …

Photography helped me beat the futility , I hope photography has helped you too…

Thanks for your support during the last twelve months and congratulations on making it through another unusual year !

Wishing everyone a safe and peaceful festive period and better things for the year ahead …

January , Saving the best till last , I did not expect to be gifted a view like this during my first walk with a camera in 2021 , ?

MORE…

If your blessed with a bit more time feel free to visit highlights from my Another Day Off project , The State Of Britain series and The Testing Times pictures , they represent the most turbulent years in modern British history and ten years of my life …