Benedict Brain gets bored at the airport hotel but soon finds creative inspiration
Camera: Fujifilm GFX 50R
Lens: GF45mm F2.8 R WR (equivalent 36mm)
Settings: 6 secs at f/8, ISO 100
A life of international travel has an allure that I cannot deny I find attractive. However, as glamorous as it might seem, there are plenty of dull moments too. A sterile airport hotel room is one of the least exciting parts of a trip. Or is it? The homogenised decor, indifferent staff and bland food are all part of the experience. It’s fair to say they’re not generally considered photogenic locations.
But I am drawn to our world’s banal, less photogenic aspects. Plus, there are often weird moments of downtime in these places, with no agenda other than waiting for a plane. It’s at moments like this when boredom can set in. And boredom is lovely. I’d argue that boredom is a crucial conduit to creativity. I mourn the loss of boredom that smartphones and social media have induced. Precious moments of downtime are now filled with mindless scrolling of gratuitous rubbish. I, too, am guilty of this.
However, sometime in May,
