 Taken April 17, 2020- not the toilet paper section of the store, but the pasta shelves.  In the spring, teddy bears appear in windows and all kinds of different places. Children and adults can go around spotting them as something to do during the pandemic.  The computer is essential for spending time with family and friends in April.  "Social distancing" is a readily understood and frequently used phrase. My neighbors took to the streets with their daily version. At least most of us got outside a lot more than before. Outdoor parks and trails became overcrowded with people wanting to do some type of activity they could do Safely. Speaking of which, "Stay safe" was another phrase people used on a regular basis instead of goodbye.  Masks are essential and can be a fashion accessory or make a statement.  Sharon PD does their part in helping kids cope with anxiety by offering bicycle safety programs.  Bar Mitzvahs and other family celebrations are very small and like this one, are held outdoors with most guests attending via Zoom.  Haircuts are not available until later in the year. Everyone gets a little shaggy or they learn how to do it themselves.  My church, Hope Church, moves its services outside to a member's home, when we are able to meet in person again.  We move back inside in the fall but also stream online. Attendance is sparse in person. We go back to online streaming again at the end of the year due to a spike in Covd cases.  Restaurants have to adapt and many are open only for takeout and delivery. Sadly, many close down completely.  "Car parades" become a way to celebrate people and events.  Sharon High School's graduation is very different. Cars line up at the train station in a "car parade" to drive to the high school to graduate one at a time and then drive on.  Marlene Chused is celebrated in the new way after she retires from her position as town clerk after many faithful years of service to Sharon.   School is online and my son-in-law and grandson are guest speakers for an online session with an elementary class.  The train station is empty. On this evening, the train stopped and no one got on or off.  The streets were so empty in May, it was so easy to experiment with long exposure night shots, in places that wouldn't have been safe to do so before.  This is my neighborhood after a fall wind storm. We live very close to the train station. Normally with the high level of traffic coming to and from the train station, these leaves would have been blown aside, but they blanked the road all day until the wind started up again.  There was no trick-or- treating on Halloween, but there was a very imaginative and well done "trunk-or treat" event organized by the town Rec. Department. Families stayed in their cars and drove though the displays made by various groups or individuals. They collected a bag of treats at the end.
I know you we are all still experiencing the pandemic, but I felt compelled to do this blog post to be able to look back at it in the future. Photography is so important for documenting life.
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What a year it was! Trying to select my favorite images from 2020 was hard. I really wanted about 100 of them. I tried for the top 20, but couldn't do it. I couldn't leave some of them out. So their are 25 images here. I love capturing people, so I am not surprised that most of my favorites are of them.  Sometimes I use my cell phone. This is one of those pictures. Composition, subject and lighting, all win here. Focus is not sharp but it is over ruled by the content. My grandson loves animals, and they seem to be interested in him, too!  When I saw this women fishing, I loved her silhouette, kinda like a twist on the "Marlboro Man." I love the colors and the edge light.  I love so much about this one: the light, the color, the lines that lead to her, the ease in expression. The skirt billowing out in the opposite direction she is looking, makes it for me. It breaks the symmetry, adding a bit of interest. She just looks at peace in a place she loves- the beach.  A tiny newborn cradled in dad's arms. The head cupped in dad's hand and his gaze get me. The choice of black and white pulls them together more with like tones. A moment captured between a dad and his daughter.  its all about the color tones and subject in this one of my husband.  I like how down low this one is. Your eye moves around to the different parts of the image because of the lines. The ice on the recently withered wild flowers with the dramatic sky and sunset, add to the sense of time here.  This is all about the color of the light skimming the edge of this little girl and the her loving the texture of the sand.  A crisp and clear image with true colors. I like the intensity of color in the reflections in the water, framed by some wildflowers in the foreground.  Fog and layers ,with the fishing boat in the horizon line, work for me here.  It's the lighting here that I love.  I challenged myself to learn new skills during the times when I couldn't work. Here is a long night exposure in Camden, Maine. It was easy to do right after sunset in the spring because there was no one around. Two cars went through as evidenced by the light trails. I really like doing these kinds of pictures and will be doing more of them.  I love the color and expression here. The image is enhanced by the little bit of breeze to blow her hair so it delicately frames her face.  Johnny Ford Dumais sits at Chief John Ford's desk. The Cheetohs covered face, the eyes upside-down in the name placard, the leading lines, and of course, my grandson, make this image for me.  All the negative space works for me, here. Lines color and framing help to make this image.  This just looks like a painting of my friend, who loves the ocean so much.  The story telling aspect of this image is what I love about it. The haircut did not happen.  Another cell phone image. It's the content that matters. This one also tells a story with my other grandson. His personalty is revealed without even seeing his face.  It's the facial expression here on my husband John, is what I love.  A portrait without a face.  I love experimenting with light. My husband had the idea for this one, and I'm glad he did.  The colors and connection with me, make this one.  I love the way the blur of the train makes the subjects stand out. Her hair and expression make it, too.  The setting , light, and expression make this one a favorite. The peacefulness, detail and colors, of these last two images, make them stand out in my mind.   |
Ann-Marie FordAfter 31 years of teaching, I have decided to retire and start a new chapter of my life as a photographer. It has been my passion for about 7 years now. Categories |
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