August Roberts
Growing up in Los Angeles I have always been surrounded by homlessness. For most of my life, I turned my head away, not wanting to look up close at what made me so uncomfortable. Through taking pictures at an encampment, I realized my discomfort was actually an internal bias influenced by society labeling them as different.
My sustained investigation was also informed by the diverse cultures and ideas prevalent in Los Angeles. Anywhere in the city, you’ll find people on the street expressing their authentic selves, often seen as strange or unapproachable.
For my sustained investigation, I wanted to break through this barrier. I approached strangers throughout the city and asked to photograph them, focusing each portrait on their unique qualities. My process became impossible with the outbreak of COVID-19, so I switched my approach and began to photograph people from afar, comparing and contrasting how proximity affects perception. Through this investigation, I’ve recognized how distance-either real or imposed upon by our prejudices-stops us from seeing our shared humanity and the unique story of each individual