DOWNSHIFT
* THESE IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN THE PRINT SHOP*
In March 2020 with the arrival of the pandemic we experienced a sudden, disorienting shift. Daily life seemed smaller, while big issues -- the virus, the environment, racial justice, the election -- became enormous. It felt like the world had tilted.
How would we process the unprecedented things we were experiencing -- and more pressingly, how would we get through?
Even in the darkest time, art survives. Creativity helps us find our way. As a photographer, my work skidded to a temporary halt. Suddenly social distancing, my eye -- trained to capture people, faces, and stories -- needed something else to focus on. I was seeking comfort, distraction, and a way to address fear.
Needing new subjects, I gravitated towards a collection I've had for years -- die cast cars. These miniatures not only captured the wonder of shrinking a big machine to a small scale, but also took me back to a safer, more comforting time. A time when I spent hours creating miniature cities to drive my little cars around.
As I took these small wonders out on field trips, I found my perspective shifting to a more positive space. The challenge of tricking the eye to see these palm-sized toys turn into mighty machines and the charm of seeing small cars on big adventures gave me something to look forward to. Sharing them on social media brought delight to the very people and faces I missed seeing through my lens.
This project helped me to realize a lesson of the pandemic era: when our worlds get smaller the little things are precious. Change your orientation and watch your perspective shift.
I hope this collection takes you on a road trip to a reality shift-- a place where even in frightening times, wonder and delight can help you live large and see differently.
Let's roll!
-Tim Aguero

All images ©Timothy Aguero Photography All Rights Reserved.