COVID rear window

– documentary photography –

by Fernando Paramio

Spain went into lockdown due to the coronavirus on 15 March (the day of my birthday), and we had to confine at home. I started taking these pictures to document how part of my family’s life was, how my neighbors’ lives were (just when they reached the balcony), and the scenery around. Before confinement, I thought there was nothing worth photographing from my balcony, so I am amazed by the number of pictures and stories I have been able to gather.

Location

View from the balcony. I have taken all the rest of the photos of this collection from here, most of them using a telephoto lens

Scenery (landscape details and birds)

Clouds above sanctuary

Clouds above the sanctuary II

Fog around sanctuary

Nuclear bomb

Resting kestrel

Approaching kite

Booted eagle with pieces of a pigeon

Bird afternoon I (Curious kite)

Taking off

Solar Bath 

Solar Bath I

Solar Bath II

Solar Bath V

Selected by PhotoSpain 2020. Exhibited by Caceres City Council.

Solar Bath III

Solar Bath IV

Reshaping of spaces

Smelling the laundry

Cleaning the blind

Cleaning walls

Thoroughly cleaning the floor

Playing chess

Having lunch

Unhappiness?

Happiness restoration

In harmony 

I smoke as I wait

An anecdote about this photograph: in two years living in this house, I had never noticed this gentleman – or practically any other. I took this photo and others under my anonymity, playing James Stewart from my Rear Window, happy with the idea of obtaining interesting photographs while keeping secret my identity. The gentleman looked familiar to me, but I did not think about it anymore. Hours later, I had the opportunity to photograph him again, this time with his wife. Once I took the new picture, I zoomed in on it and… dammit! She is the mother of a friend of mine! Before posting the picture, I sent her a message to tell her that my next photo did not leave her indifferent. This time I have been caught completely.

Fortunately, my friend’s parents were happy with the photograph, and they did not report me!! 😉

Isabel

Conversations with neighbours

Kids and pets

Playing guitar on the rooftop

Wandering on the rooftop I

Wandering on the rooftop II

Homeschooling

Kids jumping I

Kids jumping II

Kids jumping III

Grown-up kid jumping

Longing for the street I

Longing for the street II (and half way there)

The absorbed ones 

Tormented coffee

Reading corner

Other moments

Common applause

Rooftop haircut

Lonely zombies

Better ambiances

Improved sensations

Greater comfort

Greater prestige