Peter McConnochie, also known as photographer UrbanScot, has been capturing portraits in his new project Portraits Of This Time: Faces of Lockdown.
Tell me about yourself
I am Peter McConnochie and I live in Ruddington, Nottinghamshire. I also go by the name UrbanScot for many of my photography projects and for the last decade I have photographed street portraits in Nottingham, London and other cities in the UK and further afield.
What is your project about?
My current photo project is inspired by the restrictions we find ourselves in during this rather unusual time. I am photographing the people who live in Ruddington at their doorways or through the windows of their homes during my daily walk to document their lockdown experience and to find out what impact it is having on their lives.
Why have you decided to do a photo project during lockdown?
When the lockdown restrictions came into effect, I realised that I couldn’t go out and create portraits as I usually would and was unsure how to respond creatively to the situation. I decided to turn the restrictions of lockdown into an opportunity and use my daily permitted walk and head off in different directions around the village with my camera.
During my walk I stop and photograph people at their houses whilst maintaining a safe social distance. It gives me an opportunity to document this time and the impact locally as well as a chance to find out how people are getting on and best of all, everyone who takes part can download their own lockdown photograph for free from my website.
What do you enjoy about photography?
What I love most about photography is the connection it gives me to people and places. I am a pretty outgoing person and my camera allows me to meet, talk to and photograph a wide range of people from all walks of life in so many different situations. It is never boring and helps me to stay excited. Photography gives me an energy that I don’t find in other activities.
What is your favourite photo in the project?
My favourite photo in the project has to be John (below). He was the first person I photographed in this project, on a chance encounter. I was walking to the local shop to pick up some essentials when I saw him sitting in the garden with a pint. He lives just next to the local pub and it was like he had his own little beer garden at a time when the pubs were closed. I didn’t have my camera with me so I introduced myself and the project idea then I ran home to get my camera. He was such a lovely guy to talk to, he was really encouraging and positive about the project which inspired me to get out there and make it happen.
To get in touch or follow the project please follow Peter on Instagram: instagram.com/urbanscot or visit: urbanscot.co.uk. You can also pick up his latest book Faces of Nottingham at Waterstones or from Amazon at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faces-of-Nottingham/dp/1445673347
