Trustfall, (2023)
One evening, I asked strangers who wandered into my studio if I could photograph them. They had two options: face the camera or turn their backs to me. I predicted that people would be more inclined to turn away—especially if they weren’t in the mood to have their picture taken. The opposite happened. Very few people chose to face away, and the ones who did seemed the most confident and at ease with the idea of the project.
I didn’t take into account that turning your back to a total stranger can be a vulnerable thing to do. The instinct to protect ourselves is natural, animal, and turning away can be a signal of trust.
