100 Strangers by Jonathan Campenni @ Brick Lane Gallery

In the fall of 2012 I learned about the 100
Strangers project from a friend. After reading up on the website, I embarked on this project with one simple goal in mind: to better connect and engage with the world around me. I needed to change my perception of success, worth, wealth, happiness and fulfillment, and I was going to do that one picture at a time.

I had started walking around different neighborhoods in London, approaching strangers on the street, talking to them, and asking their permission to take their photo. None of this is candid; everyone knows they are being photographed for my project. I’ve tried to make genuine connections with each one of these individuals, and I have always maintained since the beginning that it’s not really about the photo, but the interaction. And even beyond that, the 100th portrait won’t be the end of the project. For me, the pictures and the camera as a whole are a vehicle; they represent a journey. As mentioned, I originally started the project to connect with people and to change my perceptions, not to collect 100 stranger portraits.

To date, I’ve taken “stranger” portraits across 3 continents and 4 countries. Being based in London, my goal is to continue the global expansion of the project, given the access I have to some of the world’s greatest cities. I’ve tried to capture a wide variety of perspectives in my portraits, while spending as much time on the write-up’s, as the portraits themselves.
Whereas this is a very personal journey for me, it has brought great pleasure sharing the experience with a growing audience. The integrity of the project is based not only on making connections with the subjects in my portraits, but also with the people looking at them.

About the Photographer:

“Hi, excuse me…my name is Jonathan, I’m a street photographer currently based in London. I am working on a project that documents my interaction with strangers all over the world, and I would love your permission to take your photograph, and be a part of my project.”

That’s generally been my approach the past 6 months working on the 100 Strangers project. I have met people from all over the world, from all walks of life. I have spent hours walking the streets, looking for strangers to interact with. Most people have said yes, a few said no, but all of them have been a part of my journey. I’ve tried to capture each person’s unique personality in the portraits, along with ‘their story’ in the write-ups. One thing is for sure, and that is I’ve had a blast doing this. Nothing gives me a bigger rush than meeting someone on the street and taking a great photo of them.

Why do I do this?

Whether its pure street photography, or a sub-genre like street portraits, nothing is predictable. Its truly about living in the moment, and patience. Whereas I have no doubt landscape and other forms of photography take an incredible amount of skill and technical expertise, its a bit too predictable for me. Being on the street, interacting with my subjects is really what I enjoy, and the next great interaction or portrait is what keeps me going after a long day walking around. Landscape and travel photography will always be a part of me, but this is my current focus just because of the dynamic it creates.

What’s next for me?

I’ll continue to work on the 100 Strangers project. Ultimately, I would like to extend the project globally. I am looking forward to getting out to Tel Aviv, Athens, Copenhagen and Milan in 2013, and then hopefully to Asia at some point. In addition to the Strangers project, I am continuously shooting street fashion, and also working on some photo-documentaries that focus on the social commentary of life living in London, and traveling abroad. My goal this year is to really just try and develop my brand as a photographer.

Where else has my photography been seen?

Outside of social networking sites, I had a photo chosen to be a part of the 2012 East London Photo-Open exhibition at the Rich Mix Gallery in Shoreditch, London, UK. I was also very excited to have a photo featured in the New York Times online street fashion section. The Brick Lane Gallery will be my first full exhibition, although to note, it won’t be a solo exhibition. The March exhibition will be mixed-medium featuring local and international artists, and I’m be proud to be one of them.

Info on the exhibition:

Brick Lane Gallery, Opening/Private View, Wed, 13th March 6-8:30PM, Open Times 14th March – 24th March, 1pm to 6pm daily

All of the following information can be found here: http://joncphotography.wordpress.com/

You can see the full pool and all the write ups at facebook.com/jonathancphotography.