Some weeks ago a number of Macfilos readers let us know how they were coping with lockdowns and social isolation. Well, it’s now ten weeks further on and, perhaps, it’s time to have a look as different parts of the world begin to relax their lockdown requirements. Just think, at the beginning of March few of us had heard the term “social distancing” and now it has become a fixture in dictionaries for all time.
We have a number of readers in Australia, that upside-down sort of place on the other side of the globe, and I’ve heard from two of them in recent days. John Shingleton and Wayne Gerlach have resumed their weekly relaxing coffees in the coastal town of Terrigal.
Standing orders
In past weeks they have had to drink their drinks standing or walking after a disagreeable brush with the law as they were caught sitting on the beach wall, despite being socially distanced. In Australia standing still while coffee-ing was tolerated, but really walking exercise was the way to indulge in the passion. Who said that you can’t walk and drink coffee at the same time?
However, the curve has flattened in Australia and the Covid numbers are being contained – for now at least. A staged relaxation of the rules is happening there, as it is in many other parts of the world. Small group gatherings are now allowed and restaurants are reopening, albeit with self-distancing in place. So, in recent times John and Wayne have been able to secure a seat at the coffee shop, taking first steps back to a more normal life.
John attended the first return to relaxed coffee with his Leica Q in his backpack. As well as the image above, taken by the waitress, he did happen to catch a fetching couple with their Great Dane Cross while they waited for the coffee order.
Supping with a long lens
In contrast to the hug-hug 28mm fixed wide-angle of John’s Q, Wayne was toting his V Lux (Typ 114) and revelling in the 25-400mm zoom lens. He prefers to sup with a long lens, and what’s better for social distancing than a 400mm telephoto?
On coffee days, Wayne chooses to park his car at the top of a hill at the edge of the town. Walking down while watching the beach and ocean provides an opportunity to enjoy taking the zoom to the limit.
Calling all relaxers
So, for two Macfilos regulars, these are their first steps towards a more normal life. How are all of you, our other readers handling the situation? Are there some positive changes happening for you? Do let us know, with an image or two if possible. The Macfilos family would love to hear from you, wherever in the world you might be.
A nice little report. Basically I’m a zoomer like Wayne and one day I shall have to swop my (still impressive) V-Lux 1 for the 5. But I’ve been going into John’s camp in the last few days, and on my “Just Seeing”, socially distanced walks here in Denmark, I have for the first time fallen for the simplicity of the X2 ! I was determined not to be beaten by 35mm fixed focal length, and this time the breakthrough came. Just seeing what was on offer with only the most elementary of adjustments has been a rewarding experience. So I’ll raise a cheer for the Macfilos Australian outpost!
Hi John and Wayne, you do look really well after lockdown and glad to hear you could have coffee again.
Stay safe
Jean
I was hoping for another photo of the Tatooed Lady from their previous beach coffee klatch!
Trust you. There is always one. lol. 🙂
I hope you are keeping well?
Thanks for this. It will be interesting to see how the Southern Hemisphere shifts behaviors as winter approaches.
Here in battle-torn Chicago I try to get out everyday and walk streets that I have not walked along before. A typical daily walk is between 3-5 miles. I always have a camera with me (usually CL + 11-23) and keep adding images of anything that interests me. I’m calling this exercise my “No particular place to go” tour, as I really have no particular place I need to be except the grocery store and liquor store, or “Offie” if you’re in Britain.
It’s good therapy and adds some purpose to the day. The light keeps changing and half the fun is “chasing shadows” to provide a little drama. As inspiration I’m reading Magnum’s book “Streetwise” which certainly provides enough proof that there’s no one way to shoot images in the street.
Nowt wrong with a visit to the Offie, havent heard anyone call it that in a while. My father used to pick up his bottles of Double Maxim when I was young’un down the Offie each night.
Oddly I have taken to walking with my X and just snapping what I have seen. I have thought about pulling a covid in Kent article together before I have to go back to doing the day job, or trying to workout if my summer holiday is viable.
You should show us some of Covid Chicago CL style 🙂 It could be fun.