“People say you have to travel to see the world. Sometimes I think that if you just stay in one place and keep your eyes open, you’re going to see just about all that you can handle.” – Paul Auster

In February 2020, COVID reached Belgium, and lockdown began. Confused like many, I felt an instinct: this was an opportunity.

I started by clearing our Magnolia tree, the garden’s focal point, overtaken by Wisteria. Shooting film again with my Pen EE2 had sparked something, but I wanted more. I backed up my computer, set aside all commercial work, and committed to personal creativity. I wouldn’t waste a second of this unexpected "free time."

I grabbed my unused Hasselblad and an expired roll of film. Inspired by Harvey Keitel in Smoke, I set the camera on a tripod and, for 12 days—the length of the roll—photographed the garden, Magnolia always in view. The film couldn’t be developed then, and it sat untouched for four years. Patiently.

In September 2024, I bought a Yashica-Mat 124, shot a roll, and found a local shop still developing 120 film. I handed over the old garden film, not knowing what would come back.

This is My Covid Garden.