Erica Carter

Journalism student at TU Dublin.

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Introduction to Computer Skills

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Entertaining Ourselves to Death

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The Gardening Year

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Keeping Fit Without a Gym

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The Student Cookbook

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Study Guide for Students

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Book Covers

Our final brief for our photojournalism module was to take pictures that would be book covers for six different titles. I chose the following titles: Study Guide for Students; The Student Cookbook; Keeping Fit Without a Gym; The Gardening Year; Entertaining Ourselves to Death; and Introduction to Computer Skills.

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One of Amanda’s favourite thing pre-pandemic was going to the gym. She’s been making do in her local park, jogging and using the exercise machines that are there. Exercise is great for not only the body, but for the mind, and Amanda’s grateful she can still stay active and keep up her routine.

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Amanda is happy that she’s still able to take her dog Bear on walks, as long as she’s being safe and social distancing with others. Fresh air is very important to Amanda and she feels like her walks in the park are what’s keeping her sane during the lockdown. Being able to still appreciate spring and the new life it brings has cheered her up over the last few days.

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It’s important to have a safe and happy space to stay right now. Eibhin is happy that he has a room in which he can be himself and have some time alone, as well as doubling as an art studio. A bedroom is a representation of yourself and Eibhin’s is a reflection of all the colour and memories he cherishes. 

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Art is Eibhin’s favourite way to spend his time during the lockdown. He has an Instagram page for his artwork, and is trying to post some painting daily while he’s at home. 

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Eibhin is a 21-year-old student, who due to COVID-19 can no longer attend college or work. Eibhin has been staying positive and trying to maintain his hobbies in order to not let the current climate get him down. 

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Portraits of a pandemic

Student life has always been busy, but now that has all changed due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. Schools, colleges and universities are closed, along with many workplaces. Eibhin Kavanagh, a 21-year-old full time university student and Amanda Carter, a 49-year-old part time mature student, have been readjusting to life without college or work.

Eibhin has been trying to stay on top of his hobbies and college work from home. He believes that during a scary time like this, it’s important to have something to do to keep your mind away from the constant stream of news and social media. He has always loved painting, but is now using his time at home to try and make some art every day.

Amanda is also trying to find things to keep her mind away from the bad news that seems to be coming in every day. Exercise is good for the body and the mind, and she believes at times like this it’s more important than ever to keep active if at all possible. She takes walks with her dog every morning in her local park, and uses the exercise machines available there to keep fit.

Despite the uncertainty around us, people like Eibhin and Amanda are using their time to keep up with the things they love and not allow the limits on their movement get in the way of some form of normality.

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“The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.”

Plastic pollution is one of the biggest problems facing our planet right now. According to a Greenpeace report, the world produces 260 million tonnes of plastic per year, of which around 10% ends up in the ocean and the remaining 90% rarely gets recycled and sits in landfill for hundreds of years. 

Ireland contributes to this problem, and as of yet there are no laws against single use plastic in Ireland, although there are plans for a ban in 2021.This legislation will see the government banning plastic plates, cutlery straws, balloon sticks, cotton buds sticks, polystyrene cups and food containers.

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The road to recovery

Ireland has long had a problem with addiction, and it is taking its first steps to combat and reduce this issue. Its first Medically Supervised Injecting Facility was approved recently, which will be a clean and safe environment for those who inject drugs and will greatly reduce the harm they are doing to themselves and potentially others. It will provide support and links to those who feel ready for treatment.

The facility aims to be open in 2021, and Merchant Quay Homeless and Drugs Services hope it will be the first step in a long road to recovery for many of Ireland addicts.

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Shake it like a polaroid picture

Despite our many technological advances, many people in recent years have reverted back to more old school gadgets. The nostalgic novelty of having a photo develop right before your eyes has made Polaroid cameras hugely popular again, despite the demise of the Polaroid brand over a decade ago due to lack of sales. 

The brand have now made a comeback, known as Polaroid Originals, due to the demand for all things old school. Fujifilm have also taken advantage, and sales of their Instax Mini cameras are huge, with millions sold every year. 

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Break the barriers

There are huge barriers to get to third level education in Ireland, and many people may never have the opportunity to read from a college textbook. Factors such as rising rents and college fees create obstacles for many young people to access further education.


The Union of Students in Ireland have been campaigning to “break the barriers” and abolish student contributions as well as widening the eligibility of the SUSI grant. Political parties such as Sinn Féin and People Before Profit are also outspoken on the barriers to education.