Touching Strangers: Strangers hug each other
Every day, photographers around the world are looking for new ways to tell stories or capture something we haven't noticed before. We choose interesting photo projects and ask their authors about what they wanted to say. This week we are publishing a series of Touching Strangers by American photographer Richard Renaldi. For several years, he traveled around the States and asked complete strangers on the streets to pose for him and touch each other as if they were close friends, relatives or lovers.
Naomi and Bruce, New York, 2011.
Richard Renaldi, photographer: "In 2004, I worked on the America by Bus project, a series of portraits of people traveling around the United States by bus. At that time, I visited many bus stops and bus stations across the country, where I filmed tired and exhausted passengers. At the same time, I decided to try a new technique for myself: I started asking strangers to pose together, sitting on the same bench.
Ikibon and Andrew, Venice, California, 2013.
Persuading strangers to share a portrait is not an easy task, so I wondered what would happen if I also asked the characters to touch each other? The search for an answer to this question formed the basis of my next project — Touching Strangers. It was 2007 in the yard. Since then, I've spent several years photographing strangers hugging, holding hands, or even kissing each other on camera as if they have a long-standing, warm relationship.
David and Claudio, New York, 2011.
Many of those whom I met during this time and whom I approached with an offer to participate in the project refused. But, interestingly, most of the strangers still agreed to pose. They were intrigued by the idea of testing the boundaries of their personal space.
Nathan and Robin, Provincetown, Massachusetts, 2012.
Before shooting, I showed the heroes photos of their predecessors to help them understand what kind of physical contact I expect from them. It was very easy to work with some, more difficult with others. There were also such heroes who had to be calmed down and explained that everything would be completely innocent, and in the frame I want to see the closeness characteristic of friends and relatives.
Kibs and Bet, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2012.
I realized that I was interested in photography even as a high school student. It added to my self-confidence, which was so lacking at that age. At university, I continued to study photography and remained working in this field, completely devoting myself to becoming a real artist and photographer. I managed to work in different genres: I shot portraits, landscapes, reports and even did conceptual photography.
Elaine and Arlie, New York, 2012.
When I look at pictures, the most important thing for me is always how they look from the point of view of aesthetics, composition and persuasiveness of the subject. While working on Touching Strangers, it was very interesting for me to follow how unfamiliar characters will visually recreate the intimacy that exists between loved ones and loved ones."
Josette and Juan, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2012.
Chris and Amaira, Chicago, Illinois, 2013.
Jerome and Matthew, Columbus, Ohio, 2011.
Nicholas and Caleb, Philadelphia, PA, 2013.
Annali and Raika, San Francisco, California, 2012.
Tari, Sean and Summer, Los Angeles, California, 2012.
Janet and Alan, Nome, Alaska, 2010.
Andrea and Lilly, Chicago, Illinois, 2013.
Jared and Seth, New York, 2013.
Tom, Alaina and Charlie, San Francisco, California, 2012.
Hunter, Margaret and Abigail, New York, 2013.
Heather and Johnny, San Francisco, California, 2012.
Jesse and Michael, New York, 2013.
Hewitt and Ryan, New Orleans, Louisiana, 2012.
Keywords: Stranger | Hug | Photographer