My camera is my ultimate diary, my everyday notes, my feelings, my memory for when I get older.

 

Thank you for stopping by and for sharing your thoughts.

Flickr is about sharing so if you have no images on your photo stream, and if you only collect Favourites without leaving any comments, I'll block you.

 

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Do not use, copy, use in a forum or in your blog or edit any of my photographs without my specific written permission.

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כל הזכויות שמורות

  

"Photography is nothing--it's life that interests me."

~ Henri Cartier-Bresson

 

My camera has taught me to observe with different eyes and pay closer attention. It is only when I look at my photos that I really SEE what life looks like.

 

www.flickr.com/groups/100strangers/discuss/72157633469671...

 

Capturing the fleeting moments of my life is important to me.

 

"Jag är en sorts dagboksfotograf. Jag försöker att inte ta bilder som jag ser dem, men som jag känner dem. Jag är intresserad av ofullkomlighet."

~ Anders Petersen

 

I love to make pictures of life at its different phases and its everyday happenings, however, my greatest passion is my love for people. I find us fascinating.

The beauty of our faces and hands marked by life, our relationships with one another.

I make photographs reflecting my encounters with people.

 

“I love the people I photograph. I mean, they’re my friends. I’ve never met most of them or I don’t know them at all, yet through my images I live with them.”

Bruce Gilden, New York Street Photographer

 

"I’m not a premeditative photographer. I see a picture and I make it. If I had a chance, I’d be out shooting all the time. You don’t have to go looking for pictures. The material is generous. You go out and the pictures are staring at you."

~ Lee Friedlander

 

All works are protected by my copyright © and may not be used without my written consent.

 

If you detect yourself on one of the pictures and would want to be removed, please drop me a line and I'll remove you instantly. Thank you.

 

Love & Peace.

 

My Mommy gave me my nickname Poupetta when I was just a few days old. It's a keeper :-)

 

 

 

An interview with Poupetta:

1. Tell us about your first stranger?

There isn't just one answer to this question. I was photographing strangers prior to my joining the Group, but I do still remember very well Idan, my first official Stranger. I had initially photographed him for the 100 Strangers project on January 9th 2009. It was the very day after which I came across the Group on Flickr. I had, however, been photographing strangers for quite a while since I got my first DSLR, a secondhand Nikon D100, about a year earlier.

 

Recalling whom I think was my first Stranger, outside the Group, was Johnny. A youngster, pierced and tattooed, hanging out with a bunch of friends outside Kiasma; the Museum for Contemporary Art in Helsinki.

 

I hadn't been planning to photograph strangers, but when I saw him, I became curious. I wanted to know and understand what could possibly make many young people pierce their faces and tattoo their bodies.

I went over to ask his permission to make pictures. He agreed instantly and once I connected with him, it somehow started to make sense. As I sat down on the grass with Johnny and his friends, I suddenly didn't feel so different anymore.

It wasn't because I didn't have any piercings nor tattoos, it was simply because we started to talk and laugh together. We found a common language. We communicated despite the difference in age and appearance.

I became involved and asked personal questions. I learned their names and stories while making photographs.

It was the beginning of a long journey which I am still on.

 

Idan, on the other hand, was sitting quietly all by himself, reading a magazine, when I spotted him on the Tel Aviv Sea Promenade. It was actually his hair which attracted me at first, and as I had decided the earlier night to join and commit to the 100 Strangers Group, Idan naturally became my first Stranger.

 

I approached, introduced myself, told him about the project and asked his permission to make photos. It was an interesting encounter. I remember how excited I was about starting something 'official', not only for myself, but with the Group.

 

That's how I met Idan, a 24 year old student of the Sapir college. At the time Idan was a musician who studied soundtrack and film. He also played piano, guitar, sitar and oud.

"I write and paint and pretty much am interested in all art-forms... Taking pictures, books, everything interesting..."

 

This young man, who lived in the southern part of Israel, only 2 kilometers from Gaza, had come to Tel Aviv to take a break from the war, from the missiles and from "this mess", as he put it.

"They canceled the studies for 2 weeks, but today they've called us back. Nevertheless, I'm still here in Tel Aviv since sleeping these days in the fire range, is too much of a risk without a shelter. I'll wait for a couple of days and see if it's gonna end soon and I may go back to my rented flat in the kibbutz...

"It's really a shame--with just a bit of quietness, that place could be very relaxing."

  

2. How has the project influenced you and your photography?

The 100 Strangers group has influenced me in many ways. For one, I started to write down the stories of my encounters with my Strangers. Once I've made the photos, I feel they aren't strangers any longer. I always send the photos which I promise. I keep in touch with many of my strangers by corresponding online.

 

Photographing people has made me more attentive to small details and nuances. I've developed a sense of intuition when it comes to finding my stranger in a crowd.

I believe that most of us have to struggle throughout life, one never knows when someone has had a bad day. If I meet everybody with kindness and offer my attention, hopefully I'll make a difference in somebody's life. People certainly do make a difference in my life. I have learned to become a better listener. It feels good to receive a thank you note from a stranger who says I have saved her day.

 

I always feel protective of my strangers and at the same time I feel protected by them. When I connect with a person to share a story and make a photo, there's a bond developing between us.

I am very grateful for my natural ability to connect with strangers. It's a gift I've been able to develop further through my involvement in the project.

 

I don't like my encounters with Strangers to be formal interviews. I'd rather interact with them following my feelings and intuition. I'm flexible, I won't follow a list of questions. I'll ask something, introduce myself, make a photo, listen, tell something about the project, make more photos, ask a few questions and get to know my Stranger.

 

I am lucky to have a good memory which I can still rely on. I hardly ever use a notebook, unless it is to write down email addresses.

I love street photography and my photographing Strangers has taught me to act fast, to follow my instincts while paying attention to the light and background, too. I know I could learn other techniques, like for instance to look beforehand for a perfect background and great light and simply wait for the right Stranger to step into my arranged frame.

It is a very useful technique, but I am afraid I am too spontaneous and impulsive to tame myself to do that. Nevertheless, I have been doing it when photographing people passing by an interesting wall, for example.

 

3. What’s in your kit? Favorite equipment?

I am still using mainly my 4 1/2 y/o Nikon D90 with a 18-105 mm lens. It has been my pride and joy. We've become friends throughout the intimate work we are doing together. However, I've also tried the Nikon D200 back then. Recently I've tried the fantastic Nikon D800 with a 24-120 mm lens. I hope I will be able to upgrade my gear soon.

 

I do not know much about technology. I use my camera mainly to express my feelings instinctively. I love so many things that I see. I just want to shoot almost anything in sight, to freeze the moment and to return to it later in time.

My camera helps me to observe better and to express my love for what I see around me.

 

I photograph in RAW and use basic Photoshop adjustments for most of my work. Shooting RAW gives me more flexibility to process the photos. I prefer to shoot in available light, although every now and then I'll use an external flash indoors.

I don't carry heavy gear with me. I don't change lenses. I don't use a tripod, but I'm considering using a small reflector. I've seen the difference it can make.

 

There is still so much for me to learn about photography, but I don't push myself too hard. I am enjoying collaborating with my camera and the people around. They touch my heart.

  

4. How did you come to photography? Your history?

I was 11 y/o when my Mom returned from a trip to Europe and brought me my first camera. It was a Kodak Brownie, a box with a mirror. I was so excited that I immediately started making photos of my family and friends. I liked to arrange my models in fashionable positions, asking them to change clothes for every shot and look trendy.

I remember later taking my camera to high school and making photos of my classmates posing for me individually and in groups. I still have those square black & white photos in old albums in my Mom's home.

 

A few years later, in 1968, when I met my husband to be, I found myself in front of the camera. By that time I wasn't using my own camera any longer. I was writing poetry as a way of expressing my feelings.

 

Making pictures was not merely my husband's hobby, it became his life and consequently it rubbed on me.

My husband had studied photography in the early 70s and had achieved his M A degree in Photography. He became a lecturer of photography in the University of Applied Arts in Helsinki.

I relied on him for making all our family photos. He did all the shooting, and unless I travelled alone with our children, I hardly ever used a camera. On such occasions I used his now antiquated Nikon F.

 

During a trip to Bretagne, France, a few years ago, I found myself walking around on my own and again enjoying photographing. I recall noticing things which I wouldn't have had if not for the company of my camera.

It felt like writing poetry with images, with light and shadows.

However, it wasn't until I started to use a secondhand DSLR Nikon D100 that I became really interested in the promises of photography.

 

In 2008 we travelled to Manhattan to visit our son who spent six months in the Big Apple as a recipient of an art grant.

Manhattan took me totally and unexpectedly by storm !

I was eager to start my day, to go out and meet people, to see the skyscrapers, to sit in Bryant Park and have lunch, to walk on the Brooklyn Bridge at sunset...

In the two weeks we had spent there, I photographed on the streets like never before. The excitement of not knowing what, or who, would come my way, what would be my first photo of the day, was very much like writing poetry to me. If I got the first word right, I knew intuitively that the rest would follow.

Photography felt like having a long conversation into the night with a good friend. It enabled me to find a way to express my thoughts and emotions and validate them.

 

Making photographs of my grandchildren has brought back not only my own childhood, but the one of my children, too. I realized that photography pretty much was helping me to see my life.

 

One day, when I was visiting my daughter's family in Portland, Oregon, my dear camera suddenly died on me. I broke down in tears. I couldn't envisage myself without a camera any longer.

My husband suggested to try the Nikon D90 and see how it felt in my hands. It was in September 2008.

The rest is history, as they say.

 

My camera served me utterly well, it has become my loyal companion ever since. I carry it always with me. Together we are receptive to opportunities presenting themselves. All we have to do is embrace the here and now.

 

I never plan to go after Strangers, our encounters happen primarily by chance. I walk out the door and let the pictures come to me. I never follow someone on the streets. My meetings with strangers happen on a joyful spur of a moment, totally spontaneously. I choose my strangers quite intuitively, not always knowing the reason why. Yet, that moment of connection reflects many a time my inner emotions. Asking someone to pose, to share a moment, to acknowledge her presence makes total sense to me and moves me. It's like all the pieces come together at the very right moment and the photos are simply a reward of our collaboration. It happens fast, I can't explain how.

Reaching out, touching a soul, holding it a moment and then letting go.

 

As for the technology, oh boy... I've tried to learn the manuals and become familiar with their complicated technical terms. Sometimes, it feels frustrating, but luckily I can get help from my husband who knows almost everything there is to know about technicalities . Being in the 100 Strangers Group, and following other photographers' work, has been challenging and rewarding.

I have come a long way, but I still have so much more to learn. The interaction with fellow photographers in the Group has been inspirational. I have met wonderful people here who are eager to learn and to improve their skills, just like I do.

 

Flickr to me is about sharing.

  

5. Your best tips or advice for the other members?

I think the most important thing is to be genuine, to give a piece of yourself and love what you are doing.

I find it difficult to give advice to other photographers because I mainly photograph spontaneously and intuitively.

 

However, I can think about a few suggestions that might be helpful

First of all; you won't get any photographs if you do not carry and use your camera.

I, for one, keep mine with me at all times and get excited about the possibilities out there.

The camera is your tool to express your feelings and thoughts. Learn to know it and use it well. It will reward you many a time.

 

Sometimes, when a beginner is trying for a long time to approach a stranger and cannot built up the courage, I believe she should change her strategy and photograph the people she loves instead.

After all what is her greatest fear? Is it to be rejected?

In that case keep in mind what might make people say no to the question: "May I make a photo of you?"

I think that it's natural for most people to want to look their best, although some won't really care.

People wouldn't want their pictures taken under unfavorable circumstances and will most probably say no.

My point is that if you are a true beginner and afraid of rejections, try not to put yourself into situations where people will turn you down for obvious reasons.

 

However, if people say no, it is because you caught them in a bad moment. They might be in a hurry, or maybe they feel shy or are having a bad day, or probably they suspect you for wanting something from them, their time, evidently, possibly their money, too. It's seldom about you. It is usually a give and take situation. I always show my strangers the pictures I have just made of them and also offer to email the good ones to them.

 

To some people a big camera might seem aggressive and intimidating while to others impressive.

When you want people to cooperate with you, approach them with a genuine interest. And although it might sound obvious, remember to be kind, to smile and talk gently. After all it is the first seven seconds that count.

And naturally, don't forget to introduce yourself, give them a compliment and mean it. People can tell when you are not sincere. Tell them about your project, ask permission to make photos.

Evidently, some will say no, and when they do, don't give up. The next person might be excited to pose and tell his story.

Be open and receptive to the opportunities.

If you look positive, sure of yourself and well motivated when you approach them, there is a bigger chance that people will meet your request positively, too.

 

Then of course the practical things; pay attention to the light and background. Too much equipment might easily conflict with your attention to your stranger, try to keep it simple. I do.

 

And last, but not least, have fun, enjoy meeting people, it's an absolute great privilege. I am so touched by all my wonderful strangers who have opened up to me and let me in.

Photography is a great excuse to be involved in life while learning about yourself, too.