All the new pandemic graves, 1
There were more new graves at this cemetery than I’d ever noticed before, surely a result of the 626 COVID deaths* in Lubbock.
I had a philosophical argument with myself over even making this image (and the two that will follow). It seemed intrusive in a way that my normal cemetery images don’t. But it also seemed historically important, also in a way that my regular cemetery images don’t.
History won.
Lubbock, Texas
photographed 12.29.2020
Nathan Harvey, drone pilot
*As of 1.14.2021.
Posted on January 15, 2021, in Photography and tagged 365 photo project, black and white photography, cemetery, COVID, drone, drone pilot, learning to see, lubbock, lubbock texas, melinda green harvey, monochrome, Nathan Harvey, one day one image, pandemic, photo a day, photography, postaday, take time to look, texas, thoughtful seeing. Bookmark the permalink. 4 Comments.
One Day | One Image 
Well done!
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Thank you. I’ll let my son/drone pilot know!
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Historically important indeed. Very familiar with that self-argument. How do I do this in a way that’s reflecting a time, an earnestness, a piece of the human condition without reducing it or stripping it of its dignity, without turning it into a diversion or intruding upon something so anguished and painful…I struggle a lot with that myself- I feel there’s something I need to say but I am still probing for a way in which to do so that doesn’t objectify, distract or diminish.
Sheesh am I babbling- my point is, you’ve done an excellent job, these deeply affecting images are very important and painful and relevant and needed. Thanks for sharing them, Melinda. All the best- autumn jade
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You weren’t babbling at all – I have all those same arguments/discussions with myself all the time. But I think we are right to have them, and to have a clear (or clear-ish idea about what we are trying to do and what our boundaries are.
I got my start as a photographer when I spent 10 years photographing roadside memorials. When I started that project, my main rule was that I would not only never rearrange anything at the site to make it more photographically pleasing but that I wouldn’t even touch anything. So I’ve been wrangling with this since the beginning…
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