The UK went into lockdown on March the 23rd 2020, everything went silent. It reminded me of my childhood Sundays, where only corner shops open and tv was 'little house on the prairie'. The government recommended one hour of exercise a day, the fear of catching Covid-19 and giving it to my family was too overwhelming. It wasn't until May the 1st that I pushed myself to go, this push was because I knew my mental health was suffering. I purchased a Baby Diana camera, a plastic point and shoot camera that I could take running. Running was also another positive step for trying to gain control on the fear of the outside world. I had a purpose and reason to go out, and photography became my instigator in going out. It was the first time in a longtime I had noticed my local area.

I ran down the main roads and side streets in the morning. The local grocery shops bright and colourful, missing the bustle of people shopping and chattering.

Closed cafes and libraries. The UK was on pause, I moved away from people walking towards me, crossing the now quiet roads. 

I photographed the oddness of the day, that I came across.

I am in the north of my home city, it is not the prettiest, it is a mix of people from many places.

Nothing follows a pattern, it has character. I wonder how long this lasts as I walk past shops that are now cheap fast food places; changing the quality of air.

Paint peels, and life continues behind doors.

These images are not too far away from my home. 

I noticed the colours and detail of things that I wouldn't even think twice about in my car. Metropolis is the film I have used for this project, the colour of this film does convey the haze of those first runs. Picking up a camera and forcing myself outside has made me feel a bit better. 

I always find something interesting.