27. S.

I have to assume that you're not coming here to read me complaining about the weather - and yet, there are the days when I just can't help myself, when the leakage of my shoes is so pronounced that I make squelching noises as I walk through the torrential rain. On those days - like today - I wish I had a Beeblebroxian third arm, in absence of which I try to hold on to my umbrella with my chin as I endeavour to get the camera out of its bag, clean the lens or fiddle with the settings, all while trying to keep it reasonably dry. On those days no one in their right mind would ever think of subjecting themselves to the vagaries of weather just to take a couple of photographs, with or without umbrella. But then again - it might have just been the prospect of reaching the train station considerably less drenched that made up S.'s mind today...

When I approached S., she was skirting along the facades in the old town, carefully selecting her path to lead from canopy to awning, elegantly reducing the unsheltered stretches to a minimum. She seemed astounded at my project, and at the same time intrigued by it, and allowed me to accompany her to the station. We had a most interesting chat during the fifteen minutes that followed; her story, her curiosity, her outlook on life and her desire for changes of perspective were amazing and inspiring.

Once we had arrived at the station and were out of the rain, we stopped for the portraits. I took 25 photographs - I've finally learned how to reduce the intensity of my camera's flash and needed to practise. I'm still not happy about the colors of the pictures taken with flash, and so the one I've selected was again taken without. It sums up quite well how I saw S. - open, curious, good-humored, with maybe just a hint of self-irony.

S., thank you so much for your trust and your openness - I wish you all the best and hope that a new horizon will present itself to you whenever you need it.

26. Tex Mex

As you may have deduced from the absence of posts the last few days, Paris was not all too kind to me. But no matter - Meet a Stranger a Day is a learning experience, and even though I would have greatly enjoyed a chat with a Parisian and am disappointed to have missed out, I did learn a lot. First, language is important. Although I had concocted an introduction in French to the best of my abilities, I kept stumbling over the pronunciation; and so, by the time I had arrived at explaining what I was trying to do, my vis-à-vis had usually already lost patience. Also, I believe that it is helpful if I appear somewhat self-confident - which is probably not the first adjective to come to mind when presented with a stuttering, language-mangling tourist. And second, the difficulty of crowds: meeting a stranger is easiest if the density of people on the street is just right; a few passers-by give security to the people I approach - but too many, and the encounter becomes an obstruction. In Paris, where I needed optimal conditions, it appears that at no time and in no place does the crowd disperse.

Back in Zurich, and after a couple of days off, I had no trouble getting back on track. After having taken several long-exposure warm-up pictures in my neighbourhood, I took a short stroll through the old town, and struck gold on my first attempt. I met Tex Mex in front of a cinema, where he had just bought tickets, and invited him to a cup of coffee. Even though his Swiss-German is excellent, we felt most comfortable chatting in English, and the twenty minutes we had until the start of his film went in a flash.

It was too dark in the bar for my camera's auto-focus to work, and so I suggested to take a couple of shots just outside the well-lit cinema, where his friend was already waiting. I took 8 pictures, but I had misjudged the lighting, and most of them turned out to be unsatisfactory. Through sheer luck and careful cropping I was able to salvage one that shows quite well Tex Mex's attentive openness and aplomb.

Tex Mex: thanks for your time and your good wishes - I hope tonight's was another decision not regretted. All the best!

23. Susan

When I approach a stranger, part of my pitch is a time-estimate; I ask for about 15 minutes of their time, and if they can spare a little less I happily make do. Every once in a while however, if my vis-à-vis and I both have more time and conversation flows easily, 15 minutes become 90 and a chat becomes a dialogue. Tonight's encounter with Susan was one of these cases.

I approached Susan as she was walking towards a nearby cinema; she had spontaneously decided to watch a movie, but her film of choice was sold out and so she had been put on the waiting-list and told to check back shortly before the show. I accompanied her to the entrance, and was delighted when she chose to join me for a glass of wine rather than take the last seat in a packed cinema.

I took 17 pictures; her liveliness and expressiveness, together with the longish exposure due to low lighting, made taking her portrait a challenge. But the last one manages to capture her pensive and gentle side quite well.

Susan: thanks very much for the fascinating and insightful conversation - and may you enjoy the anticipation as much as your actual travels.

22. S.

Today's meeting was prearranged - S. was traveling to Zurich and had asked the local couch-surfers' group if any of us would be around for coffee. I was not sure whether or not to bring up the subject of Meet a Stranger a Day; this blog is a tool to keep me going out and meeting people, and as such it should not interfere with encounters that happen independent of it. As it turned out, S. had already read about this project on my couch-surfer profile, and when I spotted a good backdrop in the snow-storm and asked her if could take her picture, she agreed.

We met for breakfast at a bakery of which I had fond memories - I used to live in the neighborhood a couple of years back, and starting Sunday with croissants from Carredda's had always been an experience reminiscent of holidays in Italy. Later on we walked through the city, and - as I tried showing her the sights in Zurich's former industrial district - discovered places I had never been to before.

On our way back to the city center the snowfall intensified, and I decided to try taking her portrait in those conditions. I wanted to take more pictures in a café in the old town, but there the camera made her nervous; and since I knew I already had captured her lovely smile with the first shot, there was no real need.

S.: thanks for the interesting chat, and your patience with a couch-surfing novice. Have a wonderful holiday!

21. Dani

Walking through the city, looking for a stranger to meet, a pattern of places has emerged where I am likely to find someone to talk to. I try to widen my circles every once in a while, but whenever it is getting late, and the cold makes my eyes water, I tend to fall back to the old trails.

I met Dani on Bahnhofstrasse, where there are usually many nice people - who usually don't have much time. He had just been to the cinema and was on his way home, but decided to take the time to get to know me. We went to the lounge of the local vegetarian restaurant, and ordered coffee and fruit juice at the bar. I was fascinated by Dani's background and his development from commercial pilot to art therapist - and by his current project, kaCHIna.

Conditions in the lounge were difficult, with colored lights throwing odd shadows. I took 10 pictures, and had a hard time deciding which one to use. I finally settled for a cropped version of a technically unsatisfactory shot, that nonetheless shows Dani how I saw him - thoughtful, open-minded and fun to be around.

Dani: thanks for your curiosity and your insights, and may kaCHIna have the success that this brilliant idea deserves!

20. Franske

Here's my latest recipe for having a good time:
1. Meet a Belgian
2. Go to a pub that serves trappist brew
3. Talk shop

I had already been walking through the city for quite a while, and was about to make a couple of passes through the old town, where so far I had had the most luck finding someone to talk to at this time of night. Franske was on the way back to his hotel when I approached him, and - after I had repeated my introduction in English - was instantly ready to go for a drink with me. With our jobs in IT as a common background, there was an immediate rapport; we had a long, interesting and highly pleasant conversation - so much so, that when the café we were in closed for the day, we decided to continue our chat in a place that serves Belgian beer.

I took six portrait shots, and have selected the very first one - showing Franske's curiosity and directness.

Franske: thanks for the chat, and all the best - we'll meet again!

19. Lara

There are days when people only seem to move in packs (and while it is possible for me to approach groups, it is much harder to form a relationship and take portrait photos if my focus of attention is divided). Today was one of those days, and what's more the few solitary passers-by were all on their way to meet up with friends and form a flock. I had already given up hope and experimented on a self-portrait, when I decided to ask one more person.

That person turned out to be Lara. She was sitting on a bench at a nearby tram-stop, and reading a book. When I explained about Meet a Stranger a Day, she was genuinely interested, but since it was late and she was on her way home, and it was cold and trams come in 15 minute intervals at this time of the night, she was reluctant to miss the one which was just pulling in. We decided that I could take the tram to the end of the line with her and barely made it in the doors in time.

The ensuing chat was short - we arrived all too soon at the terminus. But in the little time that we had, we managed to gain a good overview over each others personality. Whether it is in a pub or outside, there is always a sense of being watched when I start taking pictures of my vis-à-vis; but in the tram I had much more of a feeling of playing for an audience - which might have kept us from delving into deeper topics even had there been more time.

I took eight pictures, in which Lara shows a lively and humorous set of expressions; the one I've selected best captures her wonderful laugh.

Lara: thanks for your spontaneity and cheerful attitude - you've saved tonight's post!

18. Gidi

Due to today's full schedule, I had my cello with me when I went out to meet a stranger tonight. I had expected people's reactions to be considerably different: being approached by a camera-wielding stranger is weird enough, but I would have expected a cello case on my back to give the situation a distinctly surreal character. As it turned out, there was no perceivable change in people's attitudes; if anything, I must have looked even more harmless.

It was getting late - nearly to the point where meeting a stranger would have made me late for rehearsal - when I met Gidi. He listened to all of my pitch, and without apparent hesitation agreed to go for a drink with me. Having grown up in the french part of switzerland, his german was much better than my french, and so our conversation was held predominantly in german. Gidi was a good listener, asking just the right questions in the right moment, and at the same time he was unafraid to talk about himself. Later on, we walked to the train station together; and once again I realize that the trust and depth of our conversation grew as we were walking.

I took 16 pictures while we were talking, and have selected one that was taken near the middle of our time in Café Zähringer. It shows Gidi from his thoughtful and calm side.

Gidi: thanks for your time and your interest - and all the best with your studies and your travels!

16. Francesca

Talking to a stranger can be liberating - the likelihood of meeting again by chance is so small, that issues you would be embarrassed to share with your colleagues may lose their taboo. This fact is particularly pronounced when travelers meet, two people on their way to somewhere else, sharing a moment's confidence.

When I approached Francesca, she was on her way home from a literary reading, waiting for her tram and looking at the local confectionery's display. She seemed intrigued by the idea of Meet a Stranger a Day, and when I had explained the project in more detail she accepted my invitation to a cup of hot chocolate. We walked the rest of the way to Zurich's most ornate and flowery café, and had a long and interesting conversation; she told me about her travels and we philosophized on the nature of conversations between strangers. I was intrigued by Francesca's animated past, and by the serene optimism with which she was looking toward her future.

During our chat I took 23 pictures. Francesca showed many facets of her personality; the photo above shows that thoughtful confidence that in my eyes stands for the essence of her character.

Francesca: thanks for your insights and your acute questions, and all the best for your studies!

15. L.

Happy Chinese New Year, everyone! We've just returned from a new-year's eve dinner party, and since most of my blood is needed in my stomach right now to help digest all that delicious good fortune I've ingested, there is a definite lack of it in my brain - which is why today's entry is a bit shorter than usual.

I met L. by the lake, where she was taking a stroll with her baby daughter. I took most of the photographs right where we met; afterwards we walked together for a quarter of an hour, and talked. It is remarkable how different the rhythm of a conversation becomes when it takes place during a promenade; there is more space for pauses that might be considered awkward in a stationary situation, there is less eye contact, but - possibly - more trust.

I was impressed by L.'s strength and self-confidence, and by the apparent ease with which she combines the life of a successful business-woman with that of a caring mother (and in case this sounds sexist to you, dear reader: I believe that feat to be just as difficult to achieve for a man).
Of the twelve photos taken, I've selected the one that shows L. from her most direct side, approachable and friendly.

L.: Thank you for your time; I wish you and your family all the good fortune in the world!


On a clear day you can see the alps in the distance.

14. Lola

In the course of the last two weeks, I've developed a ritual: every day, as I go out to meet a stranger, I start by trying to capture the mood of the city on a couple of pictures. It might be a shot of the city by night, or a close-up of a fountain, or the unusual contents of a shop-window that catches my eye. This helps me get into the right frame of mind, and reminds me which way up the camera should be held. I've decided to add one shot of each of these daily warm-up exercises to the end of each day's post.

I met Lola and her partner in the old town, on their way to a club. They agreed to let me hold them up for a while, and we went to a nearby bar. While our chat was initially relaxed and casual, I inadvertently steered it towards a topic that for Lola had a more somber quality. From that point on, though we had a thoughtful and serious discussion, I failed to make her feel as comfortable as I had hoped to.

The 15 pictures taken during our conversation show Lola with a wide range of emotion and expression; friendly, engaging, funny. The one I have selected for today's post best portrays her in that thoughtful mood with which I walked away from our exchange.

What I need to learn:
Improve difficult lighting situations with an external flash.

Lola: thanks for your trust and your time - I hope you went on to have a lovely evening!


Church spire, photographed from the unlit side.

13. Haps

If I had thought that I had seen this winter's worst weather, I was sadly mistaken. Conditions worsened just as I was getting ready to embark on today's search for a stranger, with a harsh, cold wind blowing and a deluge of sleet and rain pounding on the roof. On top of that I was working on a severely limited time budget - I was planning to attend one friend's concert and another one's birthday party out of town. The concert was going to take place in the conservatoire, where - when I had studied there a long time ago - there was always somebody to be found taking a quick break in the hallways; I decided - rather than brave the storm - to go early and try my luck there.

When I arrived, Haps was already standing at the door to the concert hall. Since it was immediately clear that we both knew my Violist friend, I introduced myself and found that I had just met my friend's father. At that point I was not sure whether I should proceed: I was worried that this known connection between us might put him under pressure to talk to me when he normally might not. On the other hand, exploring the intricacies and nuances of human interaction is exactly what this project is about - and (on a more practical note) it would be rude of me to break off our conversation and look for somebody else to talk to. When I finally made up my mind and told Haps about Meet a Stranger a Day, he graciously agreed to become a part of it.

There was a certain amount of tension: we both wanted to secure good seats for the concert, which put a deadline on our talk; furthermore the hallway was noisy which led to a somewhat fragmented conversation. Even so, Haps came across as a good-natured, amicable personality - and when I offered to call the whole thing off, if he felt uncomfortable in any way, he declined. It was highly interesting to learn of his work counseling the state in ecological law, and I would have liked to find out more about what I perceived as his deep-seated passion for ecological matters.

What I need to learn:
It would probably have been worth finding a quieter spot - I need to take the time to ensure both I and my vis-à-vis are comfortable with the surroundings.

Haps: Thanks for participating - without you, today's page would probably be blank. Please let me know if there is an exhibition of your artwork!

Short respite from the torrential rain.

12. Oli4

Sometimes - and today it happened twice in a row - people will tell me that they can't or won't accept my invitation for a chat, but thank me for asking. Most of the time it is a matter of catching a train or having some other prior engagement, occasionally the blogging context, that keeps them from participating, and so I have no reason to doubt their sincerity. I have no way of knowing what exactly happens in their minds, but I imagine that they experience a moment's feeling of unlooked-for importance. What a wonderful thought - that I should be able to make these people's days just that little bit brighter!

When I met Oli4, he was one of the few people standing outside in the cold winter night, just finishing a can of beer and simply passing the time until he was to meet up with his date. He joined me for a drink in a café just across the road, where we talked about the intricacies of relationships and the time and effort required to entertain two circles of friends. But mostly we talked about sports - about the ice hockey team of which Oli4 is an avid fan, and about how a victory that would have been truly sensational had been snatched from their gloves in the last minute of yesterday's match.

I tried to find a balance between taking many pictures (and getting a good one by sheer luck), and ensuring Oli4 felt at ease. Of the resulting 16 photographs, 5 made it into the final selection. The one I eventually chose strikes a compromise between technical qualities (it's slightly blurred and has a bit of an uncontrolled slant), artistic expression, and character expression.

Oli4, thank you for your trust and your company - enjoy being young!

I just can't resist coffee...

11. Dominik

Today I was on a deadline. Since I was not going to have any spare time in the evening, I needed to find a sympathetic soul in my lunch break - a daunting task, given the fact that everybody else in the city was going to spend that exact same time actually having lunch. I got lucky nearby the university: Dominik had a look of stunned disbelief when I explained my project to him, but was up for a short chat.

Dominik did not talk much about himself, but rather wanted to know more about my motivation for Meet a Stranger a Day; as it turns out he has found a different, excellent way to get to know people - he's a couch surfer. For those of you not familiar with the concept of couch surfing: couch surfers all over the world offer to provide you with a roof and a bed in their home for a few nights, under the condition that you will do the same for others (edit: Dominik has emailed me to correct this - there is no such condition. See also my shiny new couch surfer profile). It's a concept that enriches the life of both the host and the guest; whoever offers a couch can meet people (and make friends) from all over the world without all the hassle of actually traveling - and in return, the traveler is a guest more than a tourist.

Dominik was not very comfortable with being on camera, and seemed to grow more and more self-conscious. We decided to wrap it up after 16 photographs, of which I've selected the third.

My thanks go to Dominik, for his spontaneity and goodwill.

Camera-shy.

10. Laura

Today marks the tenth dieiversary of Meet a Stranger a Day - time for a pat on the back and some introspection: how do I deal with rejection? The day started quite hopeful and people were politely interested, but at 9 in the evening, after walking through the city for two hours, I had still not made today's acquaintance. The reason, besides those who simply did not have time, was predominantly the thought of being published on the internet. Nearly 20 people had declined to meet with me; most of them wished me luck, a few seemed very peeved indeed about being spoken to. What carried me through was threefold. First: the knowledge that on the previous nine days, I had always prevailed in the end - and that, even if I would return empty-handed, at least there would be much to write about. Second: I was not going to give up today of all days - I was going to earn my second digit! And third: even though none of them had resulted in a portrait, some of our brief encounters had contained moments of that delectable human communication that is the essence of meeting a stranger.

I met Laura in the old town near the local fitness center, where she had just been for a workout. When I had explained my project to her, there was a moment where it could have gone either way - but to my surprise she accepted. We went into a nearby café where, initially, we both talked mostly about ourselves, outlining our respective places in life. But soon we were talking about more personal things, and Laura began asking me in-depth about Meet a Stranger a Day. With her intelligent questions she quickly revealed one characteristic of this project that I had not fully realized: I try not to give away too much about my vis-à-vis, and in consequence write primarily about myself.

Conditions in the café were somewhat difficult, which is why I took a new record of 53 pictures. Even so it was difficult to choose a photograph; ultimately I decided to favor character over technical perfection. Both composition and lighting in the selected photo are lacking - but it does show Laura's curiosity, amiable directness and confidence.

Laura: you've made my day - thank you very much!

9. Simin

Rain, and darkness, and rush-hour; those are the conditions in which meeting a stranger becomes a true exercise in stoicism. When it pours like it did today, people in the city leave their homes and offices only if they must - and when they do, they hide behind their umbrellas or inside their hooded raincoats. At rush hour, everybody is on their way to somewhere, and most pace through the streets head-down and at speed. The collective disposition is cantankerous, and being approached in the dark by a man wielding a camera does nothing to lighten the mood.

What delightful serendipity, then, to find a gem like Simin. Like everybody else she was on her way home from work, but unlike most she had an untroubled and approachable air. She seemed genuinely interested in my project, and agreed to join me for a cup of coffee with confident cheerfulness. We had a lively conversation, the topics of which spanned 50 years and two continents; and when I mentioned my musical past we discovered that she also knew a good friend of mine.

Simin was a bit camera-shy at first, but in the course of the conversation she appeared to become more at ease. I took 36 photographs, of which I chose the 18th; it lies just on the cusp of that change of temperament, and has both bashful and confident facets.

Simin: thank you very much for your time and courage - I hope you like the picture, I know I do!

8. Konrad

In a city of roughly 380'000 people, it was probably just a matter of time until I met somebody with whom I share a mutual friend. Nevertheless, finding out is an elating moment! When I approached Konrad, he was taking a photograph of the city and lake, and - with his backpack and hooded jacket - could easily have been a tourist. Due to a misunderstanding, I gave my introduction in English, until we both realized that German would do nicely. Since the weather was wet, cold and dark, and my first few shots were hampered by a splashed lens, we decided to go for coffee.

Soon we were chatting about life in Zurich, about how it compares to Konrad's native Vienna, and how both cities are, in some respect, provincial. What's remarkable about this is that we both perceived that city in which we had grown up as a small town. Knowing people around you makes the world a smaller place... That's approximately when we found out about our mutual friend - approximately, because I can't remember exactly how we reached the topic of sports teams; interesting how the mind works - well, mine anyway - as soon as it perceives an outstanding fact, it latches onto that and discards the preceding few seconds.

This was the first time I took the majority of my pictures indoors (27 of 36), which made for a new and interesting situation. The background was nicely chosen, and I've managed to work well with lighting from several sources. While we were talking, Konrad seemed to relax quite quickly, and so the photo I've selected was taken pretty much in the middle of our conversation. It portrays his confident and friendly character.

What I need to learn:
It would have been easy to take the free chair out of this picture, had I thought of it. I've tried several variants of cropping it, but all of them seem to take the life out of the shot.

Konrad, thanks very much for your time and amiable company - all the best!

7. Andrea

Democracy is a challenge. In Switzerland, we the people are asked to vote on diverse issues several times a year, and the next batch of propositions includes - among other things - an initiative that proposes to place the Patumbah park under protection. This park was created in 1890/91 by Evariste Mertens, and commissioned - tunnel and all - by the owners of the Villa Patumbah, in order to cover the new railroad that was being planned just in front of their home. The issue is somewhat complicated, since the estate has been subdivided for many years, and preventing the rightful owner of one half of the land from developing it creates a legally uncomfortable situation. I had never been to Patumbah, and realized that I did not know enough about the matter to cast a well-informed vote; I needed to see the park with my own eyes.

I met Andrea at the lower entrance to the park. He was walking his dog, taking a break from cramming for his end-of-term exams, and assented without hesitation when I asked if I could take his portrait. My first impression of him was that of an open, serious and trusting character - a perception that intensified during the ensuing frank exchange of ideas. I took 37 photographs while we were talking; the one I have selected shows his relaxed expressiveness quite well.

Later on I had the pleasure of running into a small group of supporters of the initiative, and by joining them and listening to their stories learned much about the park's history. This experience caused me to re-read the official documents - and ultimately to change my opinion: I have come to believe that it is worth trying once more to save Patumbah in its entirety, regardless of the obvious difficulties.

Things to remember:
Democracy only works well, when our votes are well-informed and our decisions deliberate.

Andrea: I wish you all the best for your exams, and for your future - senza rimorsi.

6. Ashanty & Vero

One of the things I've been wanting to try out, is how the dynamics of my daily adventure change if I approach a group of people instead of just one person. I had a chance to find out right at the beginning of my lunch break: just as I climbed the steps that lead through a park overlooking the city, Ashanty and Vero were taking possession of a bench. They were bubbling with laughter when I asked them for a bit of their time, and immediately agreed to play along. What struck me as the most prominent difference to my previous experiences, was that while I was welcome to participate, they did not need me to drive or shape the conversation.

There were giggles and laughter throughout the twenty minutes of our chat, but both Vero and Ashanty also displayed a more serious side, particularly when talking about the relatively pronounced protective armor of reservedness that people in our region of the world seem to have sometimes - and which stand in stark contrast with Vero's experiences in Spain, where the exchange of ideas between strangers is perfectly usual.

One difficulty in dealing with more than one vis-à-vis I had not anticipated: when taking pictures, keeping up with one spirited person is already a challenge. Even more so with two of them! I took 36 photographs, none of which do the two vibrant personalities justice. The one I've selected captures some of their good-natured laughter I enjoyed so much.

What I need to learn:
Composition, composition, composition. Check all four edges for crop, cruft and clearance.

Ashanty and Vero, thank you both for your time, your laughter and your insights. I wish you both all the best!

5. Luisa

Today, I was on a quest. On a day like today, when the city is securely tucked under a thick blanket of clouds and the temperatures are high enough for snow to become slush, Zurich dresses in dark, somber and distinctly grayish tones. I wanted to find a speck of color and try to capture it in a way that shows the power and visual strength it commands. This turned out to be a challenging exercise, because it severely cut down on the number of people that I allowed myself to approach. Interestingly enough, most of the people I did ask were interested and would probably have stayed for a chat, had they not been otherwise engaged - obviously, in my desire to catch the remaining daylight, I had picked a less than optimal time of day.

Luisa turned out to be not just wearing a colorful scarf - she's also a colorful character! She patiently listened to me as I tried to explain what this project is about, and when I had finished, she just asked: "italiano?". She had understood what I asked of her, but was concerned she might not be able to explain her views on life in swiss-german. My italian is worse than patchy, but there was no question - I wanted to try to make the conversation work across the language barrier. Luisa had a lot of insightful views about life, love and spirituality to share - and whenever I was not sure that I had understood, we switched languages. We both tried to accommodate our vis-à-vis, she in her broken german and I in my shattered italian.

I took 26 pictures while we were talking, and Luisa kept me on my toes. Her conversation is a very physical one - she likes to move, and she seeks closeness to her dialogue partner and a central position in their visual field. I, on the other hand, needed enough distance to compose a meaningful picture and wanted to explore different visual angles, leading to a somewhat contradictory movement which had us dancing a little dance. The photo I selected captures the essence of our confabulation and of Luisas lovely, friendly and at the same time strong and arresting personality.

Things I need to learn:
While walking around makes for a larger selection of people to portray, it makes controlling and composing the background much more difficult.

Luisa: thank you very much for your insights and your good wishes - I hope you get a chance to see your portrait on the internet...