Portraits of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Killeen, Texas
5 min read by Christian K. Lee.Published on . Updated on .
The purpose of this project is to explore how the people are protecting themselves during the COVID-19 pandemic in my neighbourhood: Killeen, Texas.
I find black-and-white film particularly effective for focusing the viewer’s attention towards the subject. Which is what this project is ultimately about. I used Ilford Delta 400, shot on Pentax 67, and developed at home. This time, it’s not just the creative control over the entire process that pushed me to do the extra work. The pandemic added another obstruction in the form of extended wait times at the labs, which I managed to avoid.
I grew up making my own stuff.
Donna Connerly, 64, wears a protective makeshift mask made from her son’s sock in Harker Heights, Texas on Monday, April 20, 2020.
I got a phone call about my cousin who died from Corona a couple days ago at the age of 13 in Chicago. That woke me up, I decided that I was going to take every precaution to protect my family.
Xavier Byrd, 7, and his father Whitney Byrd, 32, wear protective masks and gloves outside of ALDI grocery store in Killeen, Texas on Friday, April 10, 2020.
I have a newborn at home and I don’t want to bring nothing home to him.
Mark Steenland, 35, wears a makeshift mask outside of HEB grocery store in Harker Heights, Texas on Friday, April 10, 2020. His mother and law made the mask from a Crown Royal liquor bag after several of his own attempts were uncomfortable.
Bob Bower, 79, wears a painters mask to protect himself outside of HEB grocery store in Harker Heights, Texas on Friday, April 10, 2020. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that older adults seem to be at higher risk for developing more serious complications from COVID-19 illness.
People are wearing medical masks and they are creating a sense of fear why not wear something that creates enjoyment.
Scott Maschek, 43, left, and his brother Anthony Maschek, 37, pause for a portrait outside of HEB grocery store in Harker Heights, Texas on April 14, 2020.
Adrianna Espinoza, 10, right, holds her younger sister Penelope Espinoza, 4, outside of Aldis grocery store in Kileen, Texas on April 19, 2020. Their masks were repurposed from a head scarf their mother bought earlier in the year.
With the shortage of masks going on, I think it‘s best if they are saved for medical professionals.
Jorge Carrizalez, 27, wears a fishing face mask outside of ALDI grocery store in Kileen, Texas on April 19, 2020.
Colonel Hodges, 61, left, embraces his nephew Zamarion Bradford, 5, outside of HEB grocery store in Kileen, Texas on April 18, 2020.
Some of my customers have auto immune deficiencies and they are so happy when I arrive, it shows in the tips.
Glenn Macabitas, 37, is seen holding his customer’s groceries outside of HEB grocery store in Harker Heights, Texas on Monday, April 13, 2020. Macabitas is a grocery delivery service worker.