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Art, Photography
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We are not gonna tell you anything new by saying that the pandemic has changed not only our way of living but also the means by which we interact with one another. Today, like never before, we are prone to keeping our distance from each other. It seems that we have to relearn how to be around people again. While it's not a big struggle for some, others might find it quite challenging.
Richard Renaldi is a photographer from New York, USA who came up with the idea to create a photo series called "Touching strangers". The artist started this project in 2007 and completed it in 2013, way before all the chaos caused by Covid broke loose. The photographs depict complete strangers physically interacting while posing together. The portraits are very affectionate and intimate, encouraging us to reflect on the distance and boundaries we set for one another, especially in times like this.
More info: renaldi.com | Instagram | twitter.com | flickr.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Shalom And Jeff, 2013, NY
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Felice Coles Felice Coles Community Member Follow
This is nice. Two radically different men who aren't afraid to link arms.
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Richard Renaldi was born in Chicago, USA in 1968. He received a Bachelor's degree in photography from New York University in 1990. His works have been exhibited in many galleries around the world, like Third Floor Gallery, Cardiff, Wales (2012), Aperture Gallery, New York, NY (2014), Loyola University Museum of Art, Chicago, IL (2015) and more.
#2
Janaki And Dominic, 2013, Pa
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Zara VP Zara VP Community Member Follow
They look like they could be siblings!
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#3
Jesse And Michael, 2013, NY
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Triple Crown Triple Crown Community Member Follow
This entire collection is simplistically beautiful, different & innovative. Peaceful at first glance, but some of the pics have far more depth, emotion & even a couple have anger or despair. Wonderful project of silent humanity. Thank you for sharing.
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Besides "Touching Strangers", the photographer has released many other projects such as "Billions Served", "I Want Your Love", "Manhattan Sunday", "Fall River Boys", "Midnight Lobbies", "See America by Bus" and more.
#4
Michael And Jared, 2011, NY
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daking daking Community Member Follow
bros forever
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#5
Elaine And Arly, 2012, NY
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Jackie Nettleton Jackie Nettleton Community Member Follow
This looks like a strong protective person and someone who needs to be held for a little bit
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In one of his interviews, Richard mentioned that he did all his casting right there on the street without setting up the portraits beforehand. Nothing was prearranged. This way he had less control over the process. The photographer was looking for a connection. It would take him from 10 minutes to 5 hours to take a perfect shot. ADVERTIsem*nT
#6
Donna And Donna, 2011, Co
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Pinkcorgi(Undercover panda) Pinkcorgi(Undercover panda) Community Member Follow
Aww, generations of Donnas
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#7
Ekeabong And Andrew, 2013, Ca
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Chaotic-Pansexual (she/they) Chaotic-Pansexual (she/they) Community Member Follow
These two don’t look like strangers
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The artist wanted to take affectionate pictures showing that these people are strangers but they could also be good friends. However, sometimes it was challenging to find someone eager to participate in a photoshoot. It takes courage to show intimate moments in front of a camera, even more so when one has to do that with a stranger! What do you think, dear pandas? Would you be brave enough to get super close to a person you're seeing for the first time in your life?
#8
Reiko And Brian, 2013, NY
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Sheila Stamey Sheila Stamey Community Member Follow
This is beautiful.
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#9
Leasia And Rebecca, 2013, NY
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J Sizz J Sizz Community Member Follow
Then they got married.
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#10
Soukhet And Dawn, 2012, Hi
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Jackie Nettleton Jackie Nettleton Community Member Follow
This one feels like they are uncomfortable with each other I’m not sure why as there’s nothing to suggest that but it’s how I feel they are
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#11
Junior And Petey, 2012, Ma
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Iwanna Iwanna Community Member Follow
His hair! <3
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#12
Deborah And Joseph, 2011, NY
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GlassHalfWay GlassHalfWay Community Member Follow
I'm sure he didn't feel well, but he sat up anyway for a brief handhold and photo. He just looks complacent.
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#13
Angie, Steve, Edward, And Maria, 2012, Ca
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DE Ray DE Ray Community Member Follow
I think I went to a concert of theirs in college. Angie was killer on drums.
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#14
Perry And Mark, 2012, Nv
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shinshige shinshige Community Member Follow
Just chilling with beers. What more could you ask for?
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#15
Hunter, Margaret, And Abigail, 2013, NY
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Sofie Sofie Community Member Follow
Is that lady to the left a european princess from the 1700s in disguise?
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#16
Mila And Jm, 2013, NY
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Pinkcorgi(Undercover panda) Pinkcorgi(Undercover panda) Community Member Follow
That kinda looks like they could be mother and daughter
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#17
Kim And Yoshie, 2007, Ca
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sheila sinclair sheila sinclair Community Member Follow
Then they had their first date
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#18
Ashleigh And Tony, 2012, La
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Felice Coles Felice Coles Community Member Follow
Well, we're really getting to know our neighbors here, aren't we?
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#19
Jacob And Lola, 2012, Ca
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Pym Cat Pym Cat Community Member Follow
Is he another swartzenegger love child?
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#20
Williamn And Felice, 2008, NY
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Sofie Sofie Community Member Follow
Lovely
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#21
Atiljan And Tiffany, 2011, NY
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Jackie Nettleton Jackie Nettleton Community Member Follow
They both look like they are just starting to figure out what it’s like to be attractive to another person and how they will behave. Young love is what I think about with these two
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#22
Aminah And Erica, 2013, Il
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Sofie Sofie Community Member Follow
She looks like every highly pregnant woman 😅 Fed up with people making comments and touching their belly.
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#23
Rayqa And Annalee, 2012, Ca
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dream of delusion dream of delusion Community Member Follow
the one on the left eyes’ are sO pretty
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#24
Tiana Andgunnar, 2013, Il
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Felice Coles Felice Coles Community Member Follow
Someone could take this photo as an inspiration for a short story...
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#25
Nicholas And Caleb, 2013, Pa
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sheila sinclair sheila sinclair Community Member Follow
Guy on the right is confused about the chemistry he is feeling
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#26
Tari, Shawn, And Summer, 2012, Ca
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Bored Toadette Bored Toadette Community Member
He looks like he is in shock. "wow two beautiful lady's touching me".
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#27
Michal And Sarah, 2011, NY
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Katie Brandon Katie Brandon Community Member Follow
and then they got married and got a nice house in the country and a dog named potato
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#28
Vincent And Charles, 2012, Ca
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Sofie Sofie Community Member Follow
I see Mayans and SOA
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#29
Gerry And Gian Michael, 2011, Fl
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Seán Baron Seán Baron Community Member Follow
Hi Gerry!
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#30
Nathan And Robyn, 2012, Ma
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Deborah B Deborah B Community Member Follow
Robyn does not look comfortable with this. :(
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Note: this post originally had 40 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.
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Chaotic-Pansexual (she/they) Chaotic-Pansexual (she/they) Community Member Follow
I dunno about this. A lot of the people in these photos looked rather uncomfortable and some of the poses looked like a bit too much for two strangers
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Tardis42 Tardis42 Community Member Follow
Totally agree. Also, what is this supposed to be showing? The photographer tells two strangers exactly how to pose, then takes a picture. All it's showing is that some people can follow directions.
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gabe linman gabe linman Community Member Follow
Wow this is cool. I hope he keeps this up when covid fears can finally subside. Beautiful. Not just the startlingly intimate photos, but also the ones that allow you to see anxiety and discomfort in pushing closeness like this. Humans are so f***ing strange and basic and funny and sad and enigmatic. I love to see the scope of our social bonds and fears and tendencies to overshare or reach out all muddled. Great project. Thanks!
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Glirpy Glirpy Community Member Follow
BP deleting comments, eh? Not down with the free speech, eh?
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aceofspades aceofspades Community Member Follow
are we gonna say "eh?" after every sentence, eh? because i'm down with it, eh?
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Chaotic-Pansexual (she/they) Chaotic-Pansexual (she/they) Community Member Follow
I dunno about this. A lot of the people in these photos looked rather uncomfortable and some of the poses looked like a bit too much for two strangers
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Tardis42 Tardis42 Community Member Follow
Totally agree. Also, what is this supposed to be showing? The photographer tells two strangers exactly how to pose, then takes a picture. All it's showing is that some people can follow directions.
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gabe linman gabe linman Community Member Follow
Wow this is cool. I hope he keeps this up when covid fears can finally subside. Beautiful. Not just the startlingly intimate photos, but also the ones that allow you to see anxiety and discomfort in pushing closeness like this. Humans are so f***ing strange and basic and funny and sad and enigmatic. I love to see the scope of our social bonds and fears and tendencies to overshare or reach out all muddled. Great project. Thanks!
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Glirpy Glirpy Community Member Follow
BP deleting comments, eh? Not down with the free speech, eh?
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aceofspades aceofspades Community Member Follow
are we gonna say "eh?" after every sentence, eh? because i'm down with it, eh?
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