I spent the day in York documenting meetings with strangers. I approached people who were sitting alone on benches. I set up a medium-format camera in front of them and played a song on a cassette player to set the mood. I sat next to them on the bench and nodded to them. They would then realise that we were going to be the subject of a photograph together. At this point there would, or would not be, a silent bond created. 

We then looked into the camera and I fired the shutter with a cable release. After this myself and the subject would talk. I would tell them about my life and they would tell me about theirs. I would ask why they were here at this place, why they were sitting alone. I would ask if they liked the choice of music. After talking, I would offer to post a print of the photograph to their house to commemorate our meeting. They would write down their address and I would say goodbye. After our meeting I would write down what I remember about them.

Deciding to take your photograph together with someone is a ritual that we might do to commemorate getting to know someone. I wanted to explore that ritual and create a bond of intimacy that might have otherwise been absent with a stranger.

I liked the weather in York. It was slightly foggy, and the temperature was mild. The museum gardens were a great setting I felt.

- Top Joe