September 3, 2016 by Michael Pung

So during the summer I spent some time on Skyros which is an island located north of Athens working on a horse breeding farm. During our off days we made forays into town and one day I noticed Alex sitting with his dog Fedra while they were interacting with a couple of boys who were passing them. After the boys left I decided approach them to take a portrait. Alex was more than happy after I explained the project to him.

Alex was born and raised on the Greek island Skyros and lived much of his life there. He currently resides in Athens working as an interior designer. He'd been doing it for 13 years and it's something that he enjoys as it gives him a chance to think and to be creative. He loves the fact that he can work from his home and his work allows for him to travel to different places.

I asked him about his dog and he said that Fedra was rescued by him two years ago from a highway. She was an abandoned puppy. He said that she reminded him of his old dog Vincent who was a collie given to him as gift when he was younger. He jokingly said that he likes dogs that remind him of himself as he's got a prominent nose much like his old dog and Fedra.

Like many, he loves to party and enjoys forays into London with friends to have a night out and to wake up to an English breakfast in the morning. I curiously asked him about his favourite Skyrian food and he said he loves Skyrian pie (I wish I had a picture of it as it really is quite delicious).

Thanks for taking part in the project Alex!

100 Strangers Project - 43/100 / August 1, 2016 by Michael Pung

Hey all! I'm currently on holidays for 6 weeks from school and have gone travelling! I was in Berlin a few days ago and managed to see some parts of this wonderful city! I was out in the Friedrichshain district when I noticed Anya sitting by the steps enjoying a cigarette and a bottle of beer.

She is an occupational therapist born in Berlin. She loves helping people. A fan of polaroids and photography, Anya has a camera that is over 50 years old and when she noticed that I also had an Instax camera she recommended an antique camera shop for me to check out.

Anya also loves cycling and enjoys trips out of Berlin. As much as she loves the city, sometimes she feels the need to get out and re-energise by enjoying nature. She currently has plans to ride to Lichtenberg from Berlin on her bicycle. It will be her first cycling adventure on her own and she will be riding around 500km to get to the city. One day Anya hopes to ride to Sweden and Norway.

Thanks for taking part in the project Anya!

100 Strangers Project - 39/100 / July 20, 2016 by Michael Pung

So while I was on the photowalk back in Hackney Wick I noticed that there was a photographer taking photos with a twin reflex camera. She was exploring the area just like I was in the group and decided to approach her. Little did I know, she was also in the group too! (We had a big group and I hadn't met everyone yet at this point)

Natalie was quite happy to have her photograph taken and I asked her about her camera. This was the first time that I've been shown how to use a camera like the one she had. The viewfinder was big and bright though the view is flipped the other way around so composing shots can be challenging...

We then got talking about Humans of New York and I told her about how Brandon Stanton delves deeply into conversations with his subjects. So I asked: What was the saddest moment of your life?

"Probably when my grandmother passed away. She was someone who I spent a lot of my childhood with and was quite intrinsic in my growing up. She developed Parkinson's and dementia so it was a long and slow decline and the thing that was so hard about that was to see how my mum reacted to that. To see how her mother declined and how she remained strong for us and to not seem that anything would bother her. While still internalising her own sadness."

She spoke about how her mother was doing the best she could to help her grandmother out even though the situation wasn't great.

"It brought us closer together as a family because you recognise that something's there and something's affecting someone and then you try to support each other more substantially because of that."

I also discovered that she hasn't seen her mother for a long time and that she actually comes from Perth, Australia on her final two months of her working holiday visa.

Thank you for taking part in the project Natalie!

100 Strangers Project - 38/100 / July 10, 2016 by Michael Pung

I was out on a photowalk with a group of photographers in Hackney Wick. We were walking by the canals, the sun was shining, it was hot (at least for London standards). All of a sudden, we heard hip hop music blaring out from behind us. It man on a bike with a bandanna around his neck, a graphic t-shirt and a portable speaker. He rode past the group and began mounting his bike on a pole nearby.

I approached him about taking his photo and he happily agreed.

G-Boy is a writer and a photographer. He is heavily into the art scene around London and came along to take photos of the newly completed mural on one of the walls. We were talking for a little while about what he does and he also showed me his Instagram page showing me how often that mural changes. He loves the scene.

Thank you G-Boy for taking part in the project!

100 Strangers Project - 35/100 / April 27, 2016 by Michael Pung

I met Ben on a walk in one of the back streets of east London near the canals. When he asked me why I approached him, I replied saying that his look caught my eye and that I HAD to take a few shots.

Ben is from Stockholm and is here in London to pursue a career in music. When I caught him, he had just finished a recording session and was heading off to run some errands. Due to his style, I asked him if he gets approached often, he replied that it has happened a couple of times before, though he said it's always nice to meet new people.

"I like it when people approach me, it's different in Sweden."

Thank you for taking part in the project Ben!

100 Strangers Project - 34/100 / April 3, 2016 by Michael Pung

I met Kany on a chill afternoon near Tower Bridge where she was outside having a quick break from her work. She loves studying and goes to university to study Economics. "I love the history of it, like learning about things like market crashes."

Kany is from North West London and once she finishes her degree she will pursue something in the finance industry.

Thank you Kany for taking part and I hope you enjoy the photos!

Christmas Time at the Mcmansion / January 3, 2016 by Michael Pung

Twas a night before Christmas and we made it Oxford,

We strolled to a church, where they worship the Lord,

Presents were had the next day, we shared the love,

And waited for HOURS over a stove,

Pot-fulls of deliciousness filled our bellies,

Although later on we needed our wellies,

All in all we had a good time,

With friends, with love and a little bit of wine.

100 Strangers Project - 21 and 22 of 100 / April 26, 2015 by Michael Pung

I came across Amy and Marcos as they were walking down Brick Lane enjoying their frozen yogurts. About the yogurts, I asked them if they would recommend them and they said they were alright, though nothing really to write home about. Good to know!

Amy is an apprentice tattoo artist and has been one for 15 months. Before this, she was working at job in marketing but decided to change career paths on suggestion from her boyfriend. She has not looked back. She enjoys being social and would like to one day live abroad, perhaps somewhere in the United States or Australia.

Marcos on the other hand, hails from Portugal and is employed as a waiter at a restaurant in Brick Lane. He is content with his job, but has aspirations to travel the world. He too wants to go to Australia and harbours an ambition to experience new and different cultural pursuits such as having a BBQ on the beach on Christmas.

What is some life advice you would give to your future children?

Amy - "Be yourself."

Marcos - "If you never make any mistakes, you'll never learn."

Thanks for taking part in the project guys and good luck with your ambitions!