Visual proof of my existence

With cameras in every phone and webcams and security cameras all over the world, everything and everybody is constantly being photographed. In 2010 Willem Popelier made a journey through Florida, while keeping his camera at home. He wanted to get as much visual proof as possible of him being there, with the use of cameras that are already there and that are already recording.

Security camera at the pool

To get this visual proof Popelier placed himself in front of cameras at the time a picture was taken: in front of webcams that are connected to the internet; in front of security cameras from gated communities; secretly behind tourists who pose in front of an attraction. Afterwards, he tried to capture the image by making screenshots, asking for prints or asking people if they could mail him the picture which they just made with Popelier sneaky in the background.

In this way Willem Popelier documented a place which is extremely focused on the outside. He collected visual proof of him being there; without a camera in his hand, sometimes even without any camera involved. In a world where everything is recorded, you just don't need your own camera anymore.