Many of us have had that dream where we are at school or work, surrounded by people, only to realize that we are completely naked.

I’ve had that dream (or some variation of it) several times throughout my life.

I thought of that dream when I discovered Steve Rosenfield’s What I Be Project. Rosenfield photographs his subjects’ innermost fears, secrets and prejudices faced due to appearance, ethnicity and the rest of the long list we judge each other by.

Rosenfield explains that his work is “all about honesty” and the goal of his photos is to “build security through insecurities”.

He points out, even though our society would like to deny it, all of us are judged on our appearance.

Rosenfield claims, “If we differ from these ‘standards’, we are often judged, ridiculed and sometimes even killed over them.” 

The project, which began in 2010, is on-going and so far includes over 500 images. Rosenfield plans to publish a book in the near future.

See all of the photos from Resenfield’s “What I Be Project” at his website.

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Fear of Photos.

Before and After Photos: Life. {Gifs: Youth to Old Age}

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Editor: Rachel Nussbaum

Photos: Steve Rosenfield