Kenneth Yurkovitch - Social Street Distancing
I photograph people in their normal everyday life and natural surrounding focusing on their motivation, behavior and light. For the first year of COVID19 access to this imagery was almost nonexistent. The people stayed in, the streets were empty and the businesses closed. There was a reversal of the aforementioned. Personally street photography has changed and now I am in the exciting process of figuring out how to adapt.
With discipline and focus I began moving around in my car or on a bike with my camera as a sketchpad, returning home I would look at the images study them and create ways to go out the next day to make more photographs. This along with being part of a wonderful and talented group of photographers in a time of need is crucial. Where’s Your Head At gave me a great space to reflect and inspire me to continue photographing in a time of struggle. I give thanks.
Website: kyurkovitchphotography.com
Where’s Your Head At?
Where’s Your Head At, started as a peer support group during the pandemic for photographers struggling to create. Started in October of 2020 it lasted until June of 2021, meeting once every two weeks.
The open zoom sessions allowed for photographers to drop in and out, but a core group formed and they became a close community. There was a true concern for each other, a willingness to be open about their experiences during the pandemic and what it was like to navigate, while sharing knowledge and photography.
Each photographer had to adapt to the circumstances and deviate from the familiar. The pause made some meditative, some dove into their archive of work, personal projects, experimentation in new styles or techniques, and ultimately accept and engage with the situation.
In a time where society as a whole felt a deep disconnect, the group was able to elucidate highlights of human connection; familial ties, intimacy, support via team or other, and an appreciation for life as it is, not always what we want it to be.
- Maria Lau, Facilitator and Curator
