365 Social Distance Images: 3/17/2020-3/17/2021
The following images represent my time social distancing. The goal of this project was to take one photo a day, as a way to visually represent my time social distancing. In all I have 365 photos; many are still life images of objects in my environment, while some images are documentary. The documentary images show glimpses both into my personal life, while some images show observations of the world outside of my home. While each individual photo varies in content, the reoccurring theme of each photo is that they were taken during the first year of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The full project can be found on my Instagram page @lightsey_alexis. Throughout the first year of the pandemic, I posted my images as I took them, to Instagram. Thus, my account served as a visual diary of what I found both visually pleasing and important to document.
3/17/20 Day 3: Social Distancing, Photo 1 After two days inside, I decided to break out my camera to create a visual representation of my time social distancing. With a bit of apprehension of being seen by my roommates taking photos of odd things. I pushed through my fear, and took my time capturing the first image in this project.
Day 4: Social Distancing, Photo 2 I used every last drop of this toothpaste. I realized I was low on toothpaste before I became apprehensive about going out into the world. On Saturday, March 14th, I ventured off to Dollar General and got a few personal care items, to prepare myself for what was to come. I vouched that this would be my last outdoor outing, as it wasn’t safe to be around other people.
Day 9: Social Distancing, Photo 7 As I sat, in my dark room on a gloomy day, the raindrops on my window caught my attention. This simple scene, looking back is full of emotional gravity. Yet at the time, I felt numb and kept away from news surrounding the pandemic.
Day 11: Social Distancing, Photo 9 A little over a week into quarantine, I took this photo to represent the idea of being stuck inside. Although surrounded by bricks and uncertainty the sky was blue, and the white cloud to me looked like a butterfly. Despite what was happening around me, I captured hope and freedom within this image.
Day 11: Social Distancing, Photo 9 Plants near an open window. Like me, they too were stuck inside.
Day 15: Social Distancing, Photo 13 In early March, my roommates and I attended virtual church services together. During this time, I was mainly confused by what was happening in the world. I also actively avoided the news. Some folks who attended these virtual services were doctors whom gave updates on the pandemic.
Day 17: Social Distancing, Photo 15 Quarantined bananas.
Day 19: Social Distancing, Photo 17 Early on during this photo project, I got creative with the way I captured my home environment. After-all it was all I had access to during shelter in place restrictions.
Day 18: Social Distancing, Photo 16 Breaking the can opener was a bit of a minor crisis, being that my roommates and I stocked up on canned goods.
Day 24: Social Distancing, Photo 22 This towel kept me focused on my goal of staying in New York City. New York Forever. Little did I know, after six months of uncertainty, I decided to move home for greater emotional support and financial security.
4/12/20 Day 30: Social Distancing, Photo 28 This Easter dinner was prepared by my roommate. Easter was the second holiday spent under shelter in place order.
Day 42: Social Distancing, Photo 40 Background decorations put up by my roommate for Zoom birthday gatherings. Thus, while on Zoom calls, participants could see celebratory decorations.
Day 36: Social Distancing, Photo 34 The apartments behind my home, became a frequent subject of attention. I often spent time, observing the world from my window.
Day 43: Social Distancing, Photo 41 Waking up at 7am during the pandemic was a rare occasion that I had to document. At this point, I hadn’t needed to get up early because I wasn't working or commuting. My pre-pandemic job couldn't be performed virtually.
Day 47: Social Distancing, Photo 45 Still life captured during my time social distancing.
Day 49: Social Distancing, Photo 47 After spending four consecutive weeks inside, prepping to go to the grocery store, felt like preparing for the first day of school. I took gloves and a scarf with me they served as personal protective equipment.
Day 50: Social Distancing, Photo 48 After a few minutes, I was able to capture this low angle shot of a plant.
Day 60: Social Distancing, Photo 58 While cleaning up my room, I decided to "cheer up the place" by putting up cards from my family. These cards kept me encouraged.
Day 88: Social Distancing, Photo 86 Still life captured during my time social distancing.
Day 94 June/2020: Social Distancing, Photo 92 34th St. Herald Square In June I left my Queens apartment, to travel by subway to my Manhattan work place to take a COVID anti-body test. To my surprise, commuting looked a lot different. At that point I hadn’t ridden the subway in three months.
Day 106 6/28/2020: Social Distancing, Photo 104 Visual cues that kept me going.
Day 123: Social Distancing, Photo 121 Early morning views of birds outside of my window.
Day 119: Social Distancing, Photo 117 Masks were a necessary staple; these two were sent to me by my mom.
Day 129: Social Distancing, Photo 127 A dove silhouette. I observed nature most days from inside.
Day 135: Social Distancing, Photo 133 Journals kept me entertained, creative and reflective. I was lucky enough to purchase multiple journals before shelter in place orders were enacted.
Day 142: Social Distancing, Photo 140 Without a computer my phone kept me connected to friends, family and co-workers, before and during the pandemic. The one hundred dollar bill was folded by my brother to resemble the Empire State Building. The money was sent to me as a birthday gift from my brother and grandmother.
Day 149: Social Distancing, Photo 147 Packing up my things to move from New York City to St. Louis. In the background the, “Keep Believing in You” card, served as a mocking reminder of my failure to stay in New York despite the pandemic. Now I see things differently, I still believe in myself, even while on a bit of a detour.
Day 154: Social Distancing, Photo 152 A visual representation of my location during the first six months of the pandemic.
Day 157: Social Distancing, Photo 155 On March 7th, as pictured. I went out to eat with a friend. Little did we know, for the next year eating at restaurants would be a rare experience.
Day 158: Social Distancing, Photo 156 A Monarch butterfly in Manhattan.
Day 165: Social Distancing, Photo 163 An empty 49th St. Station on a September day in New York City.
Day 168: Social Distancing, Photo 166 Celebrating my second Newyorkaversary and my last two weeks in New York City with friends.
Day 172: Social Distancing, Photo 170 A Laundromat on 30th Ave. in Astoria, Queens.
Day 201: Social Distancing, Photo 199 This photo was captured in St. Louis. At this point I had been home for about three weeks. Tis' the Socially Distanced Halloween season.
Day 204: Social Distancing, Photo 202 Fall mums, representing the change of season and the looming spike in COVID cases.
Day 279: Social Distancing, Photo 277 An empty Loop parking lot in St. Louis, MO.
Day 261: Social Distancing, Photo 259 Silver buildings from a distance. With my family, in St. Louis with a lower population density, my brother and I often ran errands. In New York, I only made essential grocery store trips, every two weeks. Thus, I captured this photo while in a car, at a red light.
Day 276: Social Distancing, Photo 274 'Tis the Social Distance Christmas. This was my first Christmas in St. Louis after spending the previous two holiday seasons in New York City.
Day 280: Social Distancing, 278 Blinds, Curtains, Lights and Shadows. . In my new COVID bubble, I often visited my grandmother. Thus, at her home I captured this photo.
Day 287: Social Distancing, Photo 285 Growth in unpredictable places. With space and time, growth can take place in unexpected places. While jobless during the first year of the Pandemic, in many ways I became a full time artist. I spent my time learning how to live a happier lifestyle, connecting with friends and family, reading, running, writing, dancing, coloring, acting, dating and capturing photos.
Day 293: Social Distancing, Photo 291 Frosty plants, an icy end to 2020.
Day 312: Social Distancing, Photo 310 Red curtains, blinds, light and shadow. Unlike earlier photos, in this series, of views outside of my Queens apartment, this image was captured from the home of my grandmother. Instead of being in one apartment 24-7, during the time this photo was captured, I split my time between two homes.
Day 333: Social Distancing, Photo 331 A basement wall, I enjoyed the interesting coloring of the wall.
Day 324: Social Distancing, Photo 322 Squares, shadows and a plant.
Day 335: Social Distancing, Photo 333 Winter in quarantine, Zig-Zags, footprints and snow. While I didn't travel far, this footprint serves as proof that, even under quarantine I ventured outside of my home, even if it was to visit family members whom were in my COVID bubble. As of July 2021, things are on the mend. This footprint represents a road to a future that at this moment is still unknown. When lockdowns started in March, I didn't expect to leave New York City. So as I march forward, I will take the lessons learned in New York and St. Louis, with me wherever I go. Onward and Forward.