Stranger is a series that questions the relationship between a person and the image of that person
built by a total stranger: me.
Zhu
What is your usual perception of pictures of you?
My usual perception is that I look wooden and stiff. Fake smile and cheese...I haven't managed them well yet.
My usual perception is that I look wooden and stiff. Fake smile and cheese...I haven't managed them well yet.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
I like it! Still me, but a different look, could feel the emotions rather than being a robot.
I like it! Still me, but a different look, could feel the emotions rather than being a robot.
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
Yes, color and light made it a retro style.
Yes, color and light made it a retro style.
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
Yes, totally! Also my emotions were captured!
Signe
What is your usual perception of pictures of you?
My usual perception of my pictures is dependent on details. How my skin looks, what is the emotion I give to the picture, what does that tell about me and also simple features like do I look attractive. In contrast, I rarely look at my pictures as
My usual perception of my pictures is dependent on details. How my skin looks, what is the emotion I give to the picture, what does that tell about me and also simple features like do I look attractive. In contrast, I rarely look at my pictures as
I would look at pictures of other people, where I am more likely to understand the aesthetics and composition.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
My first thought was about the colors and how altering them I look completely different.
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
Yes, I do think that the portrait is beautiful. The aesthetics are beautiful and eye catching.
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
I think that several features of me are beautiful, like my eyes, but there are several things I do not like, for example, my nose, lips and skin where the dark color disturbs the balance of the face and give a bit too much texture. In a ordinary picture I would usually try hide my faults, but this one gives more attention to them. All in all, I do not think I look beautiful.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
My first thought was about the colors and how altering them I look completely different.
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
Yes, I do think that the portrait is beautiful. The aesthetics are beautiful and eye catching.
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
I think that several features of me are beautiful, like my eyes, but there are several things I do not like, for example, my nose, lips and skin where the dark color disturbs the balance of the face and give a bit too much texture. In a ordinary picture I would usually try hide my faults, but this one gives more attention to them. All in all, I do not think I look beautiful.
Gwendolyn
What is your usual perception of pictures of you?
When photographed well, I can be quite photogenic, or there have been very nice pictures taken of me. Recently I find myself astonished that there is a real mismatch between my perception of myself and the person I see on a photograph. Something to ponder possibly.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
My first thought was that the portait is softer and mor einward looking than I had expected. Admittedly I also thought i possibly should have chosen a different top as the pattern is very strong! (and its not as if I wear such strong patterns often,
When photographed well, I can be quite photogenic, or there have been very nice pictures taken of me. Recently I find myself astonished that there is a real mismatch between my perception of myself and the person I see on a photograph. Something to ponder possibly.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
My first thought was that the portait is softer and mor einward looking than I had expected. Admittedly I also thought i possibly should have chosen a different top as the pattern is very strong! (and its not as if I wear such strong patterns often,
I am actually a black or blue is the new black person).
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
I am not sure I would call it beautiful. Reflective maybe. Or honest? There is something surprising in the angle, and in the frame you chose - and that I am actually not looking at the beholder. Its almost as if I am caught reflecting, thinking, possibly also feeling.
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
Its possibly beauty on a second glance, not at the first. The same posture with different styling might have had a different effect. Its certainly a different picture of me - and strangely therefor an unusual gift - a strangers view of me.
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
I am not sure I would call it beautiful. Reflective maybe. Or honest? There is something surprising in the angle, and in the frame you chose - and that I am actually not looking at the beholder. Its almost as if I am caught reflecting, thinking, possibly also feeling.
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
Its possibly beauty on a second glance, not at the first. The same posture with different styling might have had a different effect. Its certainly a different picture of me - and strangely therefor an unusual gift - a strangers view of me.
Dominik
What is your usual perception of pictures of you?
I'm typically one that nitpicks on my flaws, but over the years, I've become more comfortable and confident with myself. Thus, I can say that I typically have a positive perception of myself in photos.
I'm typically one that nitpicks on my flaws, but over the years, I've become more comfortable and confident with myself. Thus, I can say that I typically have a positive perception of myself in photos.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
I was surprised at how raw the photo turned out.
I was surprised at how raw the photo turned out.
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
Yes, the portrait itself is beautiful.
Yes, the portrait itself is beautiful.
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
Unfortunately, not really. I think the "rawness" of the photo really brought out some of my flaws,
Unfortunately, not really. I think the "rawness" of the photo really brought out some of my flaws,
that when I look at the portrait, I immediately pick out.
François
What is your usual perception of pictures of you?
Usually I don't like to watch pictures of me, I have an impression that it is not me.
Usually I don't like to watch pictures of me, I have an impression that it is not me.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
I was suprised that you chose one without shirt. The important contrast between the white and the black is really different than what I am used to see on pictures of me.
I was suprised that you chose one without shirt. The important contrast between the white and the black is really different than what I am used to see on pictures of me.
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
I think this portait is a success and shows very well my feelings of the moment.
I think this portait is a success and shows very well my feelings of the moment.
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
I have had some problems with myself for a while so I cannot say that... I appear sad and a bit lost and it's what I am.
I have had some problems with myself for a while so I cannot say that... I appear sad and a bit lost and it's what I am.
Alessandra
What is your usual perception of pictures of you?
Usually I do not like pictures of me, I always see myself as unpretty and it is rare for me to look at a picture of me and think "hey, this is a good one!"
Usually I do not like pictures of me, I always see myself as unpretty and it is rare for me to look at a picture of me and think "hey, this is a good one!"
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
My first thought was: "Damn, I hate my face...but wow, do I really have eyelashes that long?" Also I wondered about the other pictures, I kind of wanted to also see a picture with my eyes open and put them side by side.
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
The portrait is beautiful but...
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
...I'm not beautiful, I'm never beautiful but there are some details in the portrait that I love! I adore my hair, my eyelashes and I think that my mouth looks beautiful (never thought of it as beautiful before!)
What is your usual perception of pictures of you?
Usually I have a very critical and ‘egocentric’ approach towards pictures taken of me! I really appreciate arts and think of myself as a person that has its own taste and some experience with artistic expressions of any form, but when I look at a picture from myself it is hard to take a step back and judge it. In the case of this picture (by the way the first professional photography of me, apart from school and job), I certainly see way more details today, than I have when I first saw it.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
I couldn’t tell if my expression was ‘saying something’. My shirt looks wrinkled. I think the angle of the picture is not an angle I would normally take a photo. It is very interesting. I wondered how I would see it throw a stranger’s eyes?!
Usually I have a very critical and ‘egocentric’ approach towards pictures taken of me! I really appreciate arts and think of myself as a person that has its own taste and some experience with artistic expressions of any form, but when I look at a picture from myself it is hard to take a step back and judge it. In the case of this picture (by the way the first professional photography of me, apart from school and job), I certainly see way more details today, than I have when I first saw it.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
I couldn’t tell if my expression was ‘saying something’. My shirt looks wrinkled. I think the angle of the picture is not an angle I would normally take a photo. It is very interesting. I wondered how I would see it throw a stranger’s eyes?!
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
I don’t think the picture is beautiful in the way we perceive beauty today. I think the picture is beautiful, because it pictures a moment of reality in a simple setting. there is no greater meaning to the picture and it resulted from a random happening on a random day. I like the work of shadows… :) good to see that there is a shadow attached to me! :)
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
I think I look ‘OK’ on this picture! I think it shows a part of my personality and how I look.
As said before, the more I look at it (like now) the more I like it!
Jennifer
What is your usual perception of pictures of you?
Jennifer did not answer.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
"Wow, this is deep. What was I thinking about?"
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
Yes
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
Yes, beautiful but in a slightly sorrowful and mysterious way
Ilze
What is your usual perception of pictures of you?
My usual perception of the photos of me is completely something different than I see myself in this particular photo. I'm always happy, smiling, giving positive vibes. I do consider myself a positive, social person, therefore I like to show it in the photos as well.
My usual perception of the photos of me is completely something different than I see myself in this particular photo. I'm always happy, smiling, giving positive vibes. I do consider myself a positive, social person, therefore I like to show it in the photos as well.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
To be honest, I was quite in shock. I did not know I do look like that . The lights/ shadows really do the job- they reflect the shape, lines of my face. And my eyes.. they look very dramatic, powerful, a bit scary..
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
Its difficult to evaluate whether the portrait is beautiful if Im in it. It takes time to accept the way how i look. But all of my friends to whom I have showed it said that its really beautiful. I guess than thats the answer.
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
Not really a fan of how I look there. Wearing the jacket was not the right decision, i have no shape in my body.
Other than that i like the photo, but would not say that I look beautiful.
Lucas
What is your usual perception of pictures of you?
I am usually happy with how I look on pictures.
I am usually happy with how I look on pictures.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
That I have a weird skin. Something I usually don't see in a mirror.
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
I think the portrait is nice and different, but I wouldn't use the adjective "beautiful".
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
Same as the previous one, I don't think I'm beautiful on this portrait. But I'm ok to say I'm nice ;).
Renata
What is your usual perception of pictures of you?
I am usually a photogenic person.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
I look tough, hard.
I look tough, hard.
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
Yes.
Yes.
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
I wouldn't say I look ugly, but I think that a little more smile would make the portrait more beautiful. I guess I just need to get used to seeing me as a tough woman too, that not always smile ;)
I wouldn't say I look ugly, but I think that a little more smile would make the portrait more beautiful. I guess I just need to get used to seeing me as a tough woman too, that not always smile ;)
Fanny
What is your usual perception of pictures of you?
Fanny did not answer the question.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
Is that me? Yes it is… What did he use to make my skin look like that?!
Fanny did not answer the question.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
Is that me? Yes it is… What did he use to make my skin look like that?!
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
In a way it is nice, but for me a portrait should show the personality of the person - and this does not. In a way it is romantic but because of the roughness of the skin ( I don’t work 15 hours a day in the fields or drink 3 liters of port ever day) it isn’t..
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
No, I look like a hardworking woman from around 1920, very old-fashioned but without the kind blurrynes old photos gives you
Tobias
What is your usual perception of pictures of you?
It is rarely the case that I really, really like pictures of me.
It is rarely the case that I really, really like pictures of me.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
It was a really easy and short question: do my eyes really look like that?
It was a really easy and short question: do my eyes really look like that?
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
Yes, as said I do like it (perspective, the light, ...)
Yes, as said I do like it (perspective, the light, ...)
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
No, not really. But the main reason is the question of the eyes mentionend above. I don't know if it's just me,
No, not really. But the main reason is the question of the eyes mentionend above. I don't know if it's just me,
but that is the first thing catching my eye
Vishnu
What is your usual perception of pictures of you?
It has just been to record myself at a place/moment such that it reminds those memories later.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
It kind of portrays that I'm meaner!
It has just been to record myself at a place/moment such that it reminds those memories later.
What was your first thought when you saw the picture?
It kind of portrays that I'm meaner!
Do you think the portrait is beautiful?
In my opinion, this portrait does not have an aesthetic sense rather brings out a character study of the subject.
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
Well of course no! Looks like am a mean person!
In my opinion, this portrait does not have an aesthetic sense rather brings out a character study of the subject.
Do you think you’re beautiful in this portrait?
Well of course no! Looks like am a mean person!
