January 31, 2026

On snow tracks

Some places are better in the off-season, and a quiet monastery is one of them. There is something calming about returning to the same spot and noticing small changes since the last visit.

Walking back, I found a side street I had never noticed before, lined with tiny workshops. Shooting with a 50mm lens meant I had to get closer than I am used to, which was uncomfortable at first.

Most of the morning went into watching snow tracks; I took fewer frames than usual, but each one felt deliberate. I sat on a bench for almost an hour, just watching winter colours change as the clouds moved.

A light drizzle started around ten. I sheltered under a bus stop roof and photographed people hurrying past. On the way home the train was nearly empty, so I reviewed the day's notes and planned the next trip.

Nothing dramatic happened, and that was exactly the point.