Documenting My City’s Life in Time of Covid19

As a photographer, I feel it’s important for me to document what it looks like in my city when we are in the starting point of a pandemic, and where we go from here. I live in a city of about 130 000 people, that is spread out pretty widely. This is a university city, in the middle of Finland, countryside vibe and lots of nature and lakes around us.

While I say “document”, I want you to always remember that a photograph is not an accurate representation of reality, ever. It’s only the photographers version of what they see and want to tell you. It’s easy to change the narrative by cropping something out, changing the angle, and of course photoshop. Always always always remember that, especially when it’s in the news.

In this instance, you have to remember that this is a fairly small and peaceful city as it is, and I purposefully looked for spots that made my story work. The city that is slowing down in its first days of most schools being closed and a lot of people working from home and avoiding unnecessary human contact. Shops are still open, cafes are open, maybe a few small businesses have decided to close their doors for the time being. It is considerably quieter today, than it was for example on Friday, and I was out during lunch time, when it's normally pretty lively out in the city center.

Shot with the Nikon D750 and Sigma 85mm f/1.4.

_{Kids playground closed inside a mall.}

_{Main bus station for city busses, normally pretty packed.}

_{Empty train.}

_{Barber shop still open.}

_"Closed"

I’ll keep documenting how the situation develops, if it develops, over the course of days, weeks and months.

_{Ps. I was not putting myself or anyone else at harms way by going outside. The situation might be very different where you live, and it might be necessary to not go out at all. Keep yourself informed, and don't panic.}