11 - Panda

Published in Play on 3 April 2023
#52weeks #photography #creativity #self #mask #portrait
Updated on 23 August 2026 at 10:25

I sit at the table weaking a panda mask, staring at my phone

Sometimes you have to abandon interesting locations, complex lighting and creative composition. Some days you need to put on a panda mask and take a snap at your kitchen table. Yesterday was that day…and I LOVE IT! 😂😍

I’m not sure why this is so appealing to me. Maybe it’s just because it’s so beautifully odd. My brain immediately starts to create incredible, absurd backstories to accompany the scene.

I’m not in the mood to share what’s in my head today. There is no particular reason; I’m just tired and don’t want to spend any longer staring at a laptop. A bank holiday weekend fast approaches; hopefully, that will bring more time for reflection and energy for sharing.

I’m also sadly lacking in audiobook recommendations this week. On a musical theme, I’ve been revisiting the fantastic music of Massive Attack. I’ve also just clocked a report they commissioned on the subject of ‘super low-carbon live music’ on their website! That could be an interesting read for a panda like me or a human like you.

What to read next

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    Following on from my beautifully odd panda self-portrait, I continued my creative journey, challenging myself to another photo even when a flu bug had me quite unwell and wrapped in bogroll 🤧.

  • Holiday timeRest

    Just as I found a moment of needed reflection in that wonderfully odd panda snap, I later explored my attempts to make a stay-at-home break feel like a proper holiday, complete with a quirky list of "un-productivity" tasks.

  • 3 - Skip introPlay

    If you enjoyed finding the joy in a quick, odd self-portrait when I wasn't in the mood for deeper reflection, I previously shared a far more unvarnished look at myself and explored some honest thoughts on identity.