|||
In a world where digital distractions dominate our lives, there is something rather powerful about seeing someone immersed in a paper book. The street lit photography series is about capturing these moments. It captures the strangers who choose to read in public spaces.
The idea came to me while flipping through a photography book on the shelves of the National Museum Cardiff. One challenge the authors suggested stood out for me. It was to approach strangers and ask to take their portrait photos. I decided to take this one step further and combine it with something that always triggers my curiosity. Not only would I capture portraits, but I would also strike up a conversation about the books they are reading—why they chose that particular book and what they think or feel about it.
This project is as much about human connection as it is about books and black & white photography. It’s an exploration of why people still reach for print in the age of screens, what draws them to choose a book, and whether they would recommend it to others.
I will be stepping outside my comfort zone and engaging with strangers who read. I hope to create small connections—one stranger, one photograph, one book at a time. For now, the aim is to have 25 photographs in this series (an arbitrary number that popped into my head).
Location: Köln central train station
Person: Anonymous
Book: 1984 by George Orwell
Date: 03 April 2025
We are waiting for our next train to arrive in Köln, which will take us to Hamburg. Among the shadows of the steel-glass train station, I see doves, and of course, I kneel down and take photos. A pair of black and white Converse pops into my camera frame. I lift my head to see the person. She is holding a book we all know by heart by now—1984 by George Orwell. The cover design is different though, I don’t recognize it. By chance, she sits on the bench next to us. I tell my partner about a photo idea that’s forming in my head. With her encouragement, I take the first step into this project.
I approach this stranger—a very kind one, may I add. I explain my idea, and she likes it immediately but says she doesn’t want to be in it. When we talk a bit, I understand that she just doesn’t want her “face” to be published, which is very understandable. Quickly, we find a solution to that. Then starts the other fun part—the chat about the book.
Nat
So you are reading 1984. How come?
Stranger
Before this, I read a book about WW2, and I got depressed, so I wanted to read something else.
Nat
So you chose 1984 to cheer you up?
Stranger — looks at the cover & we laugh simultaneously
Yeah.
Nat
Why did you choose this one to “cheer you up”?
Stranger
I’m not sure, actually.
Nat
Is it easier to keep the emotions more distant when reading this book compared to the previous book you read? Could this be a reason why you chose this one?
Stranger
Yeah, could be. But also, it’s relevant to our daily lives more than ever. Also, the book was there to pick up on the shelf. It’s my boyfriend’s. It’s also nice because this book is published for Russian people who want to learn English. So it has a lot of footnotes explaining some English terms in Russian. So it’s a good way for me to catch some Russian words.
Nat — thinking that the cover design curiosity is partly answered
Stranger — shows the train on the platform
This is my train. It’s going to leave soon. Aah! This conversation was getting so interesting. Thank you for that. Can I get your Instagram account?
💬 So, dear stranger,
I hope you will enjoy this photo. It was so nice meeting you. If you ever add me to your social media, please send me answers to some of these questions so I can update our conversation in the text.
Location: Hamburg central train station
Person: Anonymous
Book: The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
Date: 03 April 2025
We are waiting for the train that will take us home. This is our third train today. All three members of this family are tired, eyes half-closed, languages mixing. While buying a late-night snack, I spot someone reading. I can’t see their face or the book cover.
I gather my courage and gently tap their shoulder. Words spill from my mouth in a rather questionable order. One would assume I have full control over what I’m saying. Oh, what a mistake that would be.
Here’s a (highly edited) summary of our chat:
Nat:
I see you’re reading a book. I was wondering what you’re reading and whether you’d be up for a chat?
I explain the project.
Stranger:
I have a friend who does the same thing—except he only photographs the books.
Nat:
May I ask what you’re reading?
She gently places a bookmark on the page where I’ve interrupted her. The bookmark is from a bookstore in Utrecht where she bought the book. She shows me the cover—The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov.
📣 For the first time in a while, I edited a photo using way more many filters that I usually do. I wanted to get a bit magical feeling (I tried at least). 📣
Nat:
Why did you pick up this book, and why now?
Stranger:
A friend of mine is writing their bachelor’s thesis on it. They’ve read the book five times already. I want to be able to help them a bit with their work.
Nat:
Are you enjoying it so far?
Stranger:
Definitely! It’s in Dutch—I didn’t want to read it in English. This translation is really well done. I expected the language to be heavier, but it’s actually a smooth read.
Nat:
What do you like about it? If you were to recommend it, why would you?
Stranger:
It’s magical realism. The dreamy, magical world is beautiful. So many absurd things happen in the book. I love the cat and its responses to situations.
Nat:
Do you like magical realism because it takes your mind away from real life?
Stranger:
Not exactly. Magical realism is life for me. Absurd things happen to us all the time.
Nat:
Maybe we can say this was a magical-absurd moment for us.
She smiles.
We realize we’re taking the same night train to Sweden—she’s heading to Gotland, we to Nässjö.
💬 Dear stranger,
I was so exhausted when we met. I didn’t have my questions written down, so my mind wandered from one thing to another. Just after I said farewell, I realized I forgot to ask you one thing:
Why did you choose a print book instead of an e-book or audiobook?
We didn’t exchange contact info. So, if you ever see this, please DM me.
Maybe this entire encounter was orchestrated by Behemoth (cat) himself, a little push from the mischievous forces of the universe.
Wherever you are, dear stranger, may your journey be smooth, your book be enchanting, and may your reality be just the right amount of absurd.
