There has been a bit of a haze in the city lately. A haze that with cold weather you would think is generally harmless and just a sign of the changing seasons. I've been getting out in the cold quite a bit lately as I love to do, constantly exploring and finding things to capture and be creative with. And in the mornings I had noticed a bit of a cough appearing, with some tightness in the chest. I thought perhaps I hadn't been wrapping up enough to meet the cold that only gets colder as the day progresses. Later in the evening, after a few days of some rough mornings, it became clear that people in the area were starting to take note of this 'haze'. So much so that in actuality the Internet was stating a highly dangerous level of something called PM 2.5. Six times the considered safe level!
I come from the English countryside where the air quality is pretty much as good as it gets. Where fog on a cold night and morning is just fog. I looked up what PM 2.5 is and it appears to be a mixture of highly dangerous particles that can really fuck you up with frequent exposure. Including things like sulphur and nitrogen dioxide. After seeing the warnings online over how little exposure you should get and how you should absolutely take caution with masks at levels far below what we were experiencing, I figured it would probably be best to sit this one out if I can. To lay a bit low and avoid getting out until it goes back a, well, more normal level for Armenia at least. This is a hard one for me. I love getting outside, and I have so much work to do. These being from the last day I had out there.
I guess from here on I'll shoot things indoors and maybe try to work on the product side of my portfolio a bit more. Though my energy levels are always way too high to be sitting around at home. I've really been enjoying capturing things lately. I don't know why, but it does feel like I've had a big boost in creativity and motivation. To have felt like my love for film and photography has increased somehow. I've loved looking at subjects differently, appreciating light more, and finding the beauty in everyday locations even if they are old, decayed, and generally a bit bleak after all that neglect. I've found myself really wanting to try new things. And when I'm home I'm just endlessly browsing through marketplaces in search of vintage lenses to pick up, looking for deals. Wish listing cameras that I just absolutely cannot afford right now. That Blackmagic Pyxis 6k looks like a beauty...
I think I have a few days of images backed up to share, but supposedly this dangerous air is meant to linger on for the upcoming week. I probably won't share the product and portfolio stuff I do here as that just isn't really something I think I need to share nor would have much interest in comparison to these. Where old Soviet architecture meets various conceptual designs: the strong orange of the Armenian stone. Down to the shapes of balconies from old buildings of the 1970s. Or the changing landscape of street art trying to revive some life to those older buildings which would otherwise be crumbling away their paint and brickwork by now, like many others. I'm going to miss making such discoveries during this week. I'm going to miss the random steps I take each time I go out there that brings me to these new locations. And the emotions I feel when I stumble across them. The sense of discovery that fills me with great joy.
Hopefully, though, once this dangerous air has passed, the Christmas markets throughout Yerevan will open up and that begins a new type of fun! Capturing more of the busy streets under the festive lights. And hopefully distributing a whole lot of business cards to pick up some creative work with some of those small businesses. I guess that's something to look forward to!