“If your pictures aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough”
Robert Capa, the renowned war photographer said those famous words decades ago.
As many political leaders are saying, we are at war today. A different kind of war, against an invisible enemy: a virus that separates people.
However – in our digital age in particular – is closeness solely determined by the physical distance from a subject?
Is there an emotional connection that we could create to bridge that gap?
Can we imagine the photographers of the future shooting remotely through high tech devices just like doctors perform surgeries today on patients who are not physically in the same place?
“Telephoto” series questions and explores the notion of distance through portraits shot remotely via mobile devices. Ironically – and despite the persistent inequalities – from Wuhan to New York, in times when people are ordered to stay apart, we rarely felt so close to each other.
Hicham
Geneva, April 2020
“I miss going on the street without feeling guilty or irresponsible.
I have a very small balcony. I have never used it before. Now, it is my daily routine. I sit outside twice a day: before starting to work and after finishing. I have a small olive tree that reminds me of home.”
Andrée & Caramel
Beirut, April 2020
“I usually like staying at home. However, I used to support charities as a volunteer in my free time. I miss feeling useful”.
Raphaella
Bangkok, March 2020
“I miss swimming a lot but I’m actually missing him more than my swimming. It’s kind of weird and annoying. I don’t remember the last time I missed a guy this much.
What feels better is that I’ve been having so much time to actually meditate every day and have been making tremendous progress. It has made me emotionally and mentally more resilient.”
Lula and Luca
Milano, March 2020
“Honestly, we don’t miss anything. We’re really loving our time together Luca and I. We never have this much time the two of us… three of us with our dog Gildo.
What feels good, is the time, we have time, no more excuses.”
Rawan & Pepper
Beirut, March 2020
“A friend of mine said that the world is still turning at the same pace, it’s our own pace that slowed down. I’m taking a break, a slow and deep breath.
The only thing I miss is to be in the arms of the man I love.”
Lourdes
Barcelona, April 2020
“My parents health worries me. Not being there with them to help in case it’s needed worries me. I miss my life, my friends, my job, trips and the sea. A deep and long sea dip.
The first thing I would do when this is over is go to my parents’ home and tell them how important they are to me.”
Paula, Hala, and Nabil
Dlebta Lebanon, March 2020
Paula: “I miss the visits from my sons who live abroad.”
Hala: “I’m enjoying spending more time with my parents. The first thing I’d do is have dinner with my friends and celebrate my belated birthday.”
Nabil: “I’m happy to see my daughter every day. I’ll go to the barber as soon as I can.”
Emmanuel
Paris, April 2020
“I’m worried that people will not learn from this lesson and simply get back to yesterday’s world. I miss seeing and being with the people I love. As soon as I can, I’ll go out for a Sunday lunch at my Mom’s place.”
ghaleb cabbabé 