This is it, the last post of discarded masks and gloves on the streets in Washington DC. A big wave of daily new COVID-19 cases in the city jumped from 143 in November to 252 (averaged from the official data) as I left for Bangkok at the end of the year. It was a bittersweet departure. This little project was my way to cope with the crazy time in the pandemic. It helped.
Looking back at the first post in May that I wondered how many shots would be taken for this collection. It’s almost 5,000 of them. (Note: it’s the number of images photographed, not masks and gloves found.) How they were shot and edited for Instagram also evolved along the past eight months. Practising your brain every day with photography steered my mind away from negative thoughts. So, each day I was hoping and anticipating to find them outside (with the precaution of the risks) to explore if they could turn into something visually interesting. Moreover, it gave me something I didn’t think I’d had it before the spread of the virus—a deeper connection to the neighbourhoods.
12 Dec
Sunset on the bridge14 Dec
In December rain15 Dec
Once in the morning and once in the evening15 Dec
Once in the morning and once in the evening16 Dec
Getting snowed16 Dec
Getting snowed16 Dec
Getting snowed16 Dec
Getting snowed16 Dec
Still here since October, I wonder if you’ll be seen in the morning16 Dec
In the first and possibly the only snow in December17 Dec
Covered by snow but still here17 Dec
Covered by snow but still here17 Dec
Reflections and shadows17 Dec
Reflections and shadows18 Dec
Getting out for brekkie and back from the bank18 Dec
Getting out for brekkie and back from the bank18 Dec
Along Park Road18 Dec
Along Park Road18 Dec
Along Park Road18 Dec
An errand to the bank in Downtown18 Dec
An errand to the bank in Downtown18 Dec
While waiting for fried chicken from Chinese takeaway18 Dec
While waiting for fried chicken from Chinese takeaway18 Dec
While waiting for fried chicken from Chinese takeaway
20 Dec
Regulars at 17th St and Lamont St20 Dec
Movement of a pink glove20 Dec
Reflections and shadows20 Dec
Reflections and shadows20 Dec
Reflections and shadows20 Dec
Christmas Special edition20 Dec
Waiting to cross the street20 Dec
Waiting to cross the street20 Dec
Saturn and Jupiter are getting closer20 Dec
Saturn and Jupiter are getting closer25 Dec
Some encounters while photo walking26 Dec
Boxing Day walk26 Dec
Boxing Day walk26 Dec
Boxing Day walk27 Dec
Counting to five27 Dec
Counting to five27 Dec
Shadows and reflections27 Dec
On the last Sunday of 202028 Dec
Today is the day it got picked up.29 Dec
On the bus30 Dec
The last morning walk in 202030 Dec
The last morning walk in 2020
I have something in mind to develop on those thousands of images further in the future. For now, considering the documentation stage is pretty much done. Next stage? We’ll see.