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Cambridge photographer ends one-a-day challenge with 5,000th image

Lewis Adams
BBC News, Cambridgeshire
Martin Bond Child with a buggy talking to a gardenerMartin Bond
Martin Bond said this image of a child talking to a gardener was his "favourite picture of all time"

A man who has taken photos of his beloved Cambridge and uploaded them every day for 13 years said the project was a "blessing" after deciding to stop following his 5,000th snap.

Martin Bond started his project - A Cambridge Diary - in March 2010.

The portrait images have captured the different communities co-existing in the city, known for its grandeur and famous university.

Almost 14 years after starting out, Mr Bond told the BBC his 5,000th shot would be his last.

Martin Bond King's College ChapelMartin Bond
A picture of King's College Chapel was the 5,000th captured by Martin Bond
Martin Bond Punters in snowMartin Bond
26 February 2018 - An image of a sudden snowfall made the front page of The Times
Martin Bond Woman with an umbrella in CambridgeMartin Bond
25 June 2016 - A hail storm moment in the middle of summer

"It seems to be a nice, round figure and I did kind of want to relieve the pressure of doing it every day," said the professional photographer.

However, he admitted he would also "miss it tremendously", adding: "Psychologically and emotionally, it feeds me.

"It has become so important that the difference between a good day and a bad day depends on if I get a good picture."

Martin Bond Woman with birdsMartin Bond
In this image, taken on 24 December 2010, the woman looked like she had "conjured the birds up", Mr Bond said
Martin Bond A group pose for a picture in CambridgeMartin Bond
Mr Bond said his pictures helped capture everyday life in Cambridge
Martin Bond James Norton on a bikeMartin Bond
Actor James Norton was snapped during the filming of ITV's Grantchester in September 2015

Mr Bond said the project started when he accidentally caught the moment a decorator dropped paint on to his sandwiches on camera.

He then started sharing his pictures on social media, amassing thousands of followers from across the globe.

Martin Bond A person getting a haircutMartin Bond
A close shave was depicted on New Year's Day in 2017
Martin Bond NursesMartin Bond
14 January 2020 - "Amazing" nurses at Addenbrooke's Hospital captured days before the death of Mr Bond's mother
Martin Bond Porter at university buildingMartin Bond
A porter is caught laughing outside a university building

"I always try to photograph people in a way they would like to see themselves. I don't take pictures that are detrimental to them as humans," said Mr Bond.

"It is a very healthy thing we can do to notice other things and other people rather than get too consumed in our own troubles."

Images by Martin Bond

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