Which of these incredible photos from the Canada Covid Portrait challenge is your favourite?
By Zach Harper
Another week of the
coronavirus pandemic has passed, and that might seem a bit surreal. At times, it seems hard to believe more than two months have gone by since lockdowns in Canada started, and at other times it seems like it has really dragged on. Maybe restrictions are starting to be loosened where you are – maybe they've been put back in place. Maybe, if you're in a country such as New Zealand, infections have dropped right off.
With another seven days, there have more striking, impactful photos in the Canada Covid Portrait challenge. Canadian photographer
George Pimentel's initiative invites those across the country to share images of how the coronavirus pandemic has affected their lives – and those of others.
You've probably been documenting your life under the coronavirus pandemic and how much it has shifted. Canadians are welcome to submit photos to the project until June 26. Canada Covid Portrait is "open to anybody with a cell phone who wants to convey what they're going through in COVID times," says George. You don't need to be a professional photographer to take part – you just need a phone. You can submit
Each week, we'll be asking you to pick your favourite image or series of photos. We'll reveal your absolute favourite on July 1. You can see more work by amazing Canadian photographers over at the initiative's Instagram account.
Dave Chan's photo shows Canadian Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau in a mask. It's a striking image that will likely hit home with many Canadians about just how important wearing a mask in public has become.
"During his daily briefing, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he will start wearing a mask in public where physical distancing is not possible," Dave explained. "After his briefing at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, the prime minister was scheduled to attend the sitting of the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic on Parliament Hill. When his motorcade pulled up and he stepped out, I captured a few frames. I took a series of photos, including this shot, some of which have now been seen around the world."
ET Canada's Cheryl Hickey shared a photo with the challenge that involves one of the hardest parts of lockdown: not being able to hug loved ones.
"The last time I saw Dad in person, I hugged him and said, 'See you soon,' knowing that I wasn't telling the truth," she says. "This was Dad's birthday through a window at his long-term care home. It has been a scary and heartbreaking journey for many, including our family."
Brenda Spielmann's photo shows her children at home in Toronto. Her son, who has a physical disability, looks at a disco ball in his wheelchair.
"My son has a disability and is considered high risk for contracting COVID-19," she said of the context behind the image. "As a result, our family has been spending loads of time at home. When I walked into my daughter's room, she was painting and my son had put the disco ball on his wheelchair to play with the light reflections.
"Seeing this scene brought me a sense of lightness and fun, and I believe we need a bit of that during these times."
Katrin Faridani shared three images that show her cutting a loved one's hair while wearing personal protective equipment because they appear to be in hospital. The second photo shows the face of the woman, who is hooked up to a ventilator, and the third shows her hands.
"I had to move very carefully while wearing a tent," she wrote. "I've given many haircuts before, but this was my first in a bed - and no, I'm not a hairdresser."
"Just because she's ill doesn't mean we let her look anything but her best, and feel comfortable," she continued. "She always likes her hair short. I must have taken off 5 inches. Doesn't she look great for 85?"
Brandon Hart shared a series of images that show Vancouverites holding special messages that they want to share with the world about how they were feeling and what they were thinking. Some of them say things like "I'm afraid, too. And that's ok," "Now is not forever" and "We will hug again." All of the images were taken from a safe social distance.
"I realized that with COVID-19, people more than ever needed to have their stories told, and that I had a responsibility to tell those stories," Brandon said. "When I first started out on this journey, I had no idea what this project would mean to me and to others, the hours of dialogue we would have struggling to understand what all this means and how we could support each other during these challenging times.
"I had no idea of the responsibility I was taking on, and how it would fundamentally change how I see the world, and how it would forever transform my view of photography."
Which of these photos or series of images is your favourite? Let us know in the poll below!
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