London

100 Strangers Project - 39/100 /  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 /  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 - 36/100 /  by Michael Pung

I bumped into Emily who was heading on her way from a shop in Dalston. I complimented her on her top and asked where she got it from. She took a moment to think about it and said that it must have been from a store in Norwich, since the good clothes from thrift stores in London are harder to come by.  I asked her about some tips for thrift shopping and she said that you should take your time shopping- she often spends hours in the stores she visits.

Emily describes herself as quirky and geeky and is into gadgets, tech, graphic design and app making. 

Thank you for taking part in the project Emily!

100 Strangers Project - 35/100 /  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 /  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!

100 Strangers Project - 21 and 22 of 100 /  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!

100 Strangers Project - 16/100 /  by Michael Pung

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Another day, another outing at Brick Lane.

I came across Nathan sitting outside of the 'Art of the Brick' exhibition enjoying a conversation with his partner Celu.  I initially walked past him because I had a sudden case of nervousness when he caught my eye, but I told my friend who was with me that I wanted to go back and take his photo.

Nathan is a PE teacher who works at a school in East London. He has been teaching for 5 years.

What are you passionate about?

"I'm passionate about two things: sports and my heritage."

"I'm from Barbados on my mother's side and Mauritius on my father's side. He is also of Indian descent."

He seemed to be proud about his upbringing and  of the people who brought him to the world.

I also found out that Nathan has been dating Celu for around a year now, someone who he met when he was in Belgium.  I jokingly remarked that he doesn't have to play the Tinder game like so many Londoners and he said:

"I actually met her through Tinder when I was travelling in Belgium."

He went on saying that it did start off as a fling, but when he came back from his travels they kept in touch and things developed from there.  

Thank you Nathan for taking part in the project and Celu for being patient during the photo session.


100 Strangers Project - 15/100 /  by Michael Pung

So the month of March is upon us and the weather is finally becoming warmer!  This is great because it's easier for me to stay out longer and devote more time to my strangers project.

Kim was on her way from work to meet up with her friend.  I asked her the question and she inquisitively asked where I was from.  As it turns out, she too is a fellow Australian and picked out my accent instantly.

Kim is a primary school teacher who is on her final 2 months of her Visa here in the UK and was vibrant in our interaction.  

So I asked her: "Since you work with children, what is one piece of life advice you would give to them?"

"You've got to follow through with what you love."

Kim was the first stranger to invite me for drinks after our photoshoot.  So thanks Kim, enjoyed the banter and wish you well on your return home.