I was strolling near my home in Berlin when I stumbled upon a torn advertising poster on a pole. The tear had created a makeshift window, revealing another layer beneath it. Captivated by the scene, I decided to photograph it.

However, when I reviewed the images at home, none of them quite captured the scene in a way that allowed it to fully resonate. So, I returned the next day, hoping the poster would still be there. To my delight, it was. That’s when I was finally able to capture the image of one happy woman seen through a sad one.

Street photography, like life, often relies on a mix of luck and persistence. Sometimes, scenes happen spontaneously. Other times, you have to return and try again until something meaningful emerges.