We know photographers often take on personal projects to keep their creative juices flowing, and we want to celebrate that with a feature that explores the passion and inspiration driving the project forward. Today's project comes via Justin Bettman, an immensely talented photographer based out of New York City and Los Angeles. We came across Justin's Bagel Project and knew we had to share his stunning portraits with you here on the blog. Read on to learn more about Justin and his project, and be sure to check out all of his work here and read the individual stories behind each photo on his blog.
"For the past year, I've lived right in the heart of Los Angeles. Like any city, LA is full of voices. The only ones we tend to hear are those of the rich and famous; their songs and speeches drown out the voices of the common people who inhabit this city.
In major urban areas like LA, we tend to get used to the people who sit on the curbs, or push around broken shopping carts. The people that talk to themselves because no one else will listen. The homeless in our cities are often forgotten, as after a while they become a party of the city themselves; blending in like streetlights and bus stops, or any of the other things we walk by hundreds of times a day.
The project is quite simple: a bagel for an unheard story. I've been continually surprised by the fact that these people are content with their lives; if anything, they are happier to have a friend to talk to rather than the food provided. My goal with this project is to give a voice to the voiceless."
Justin's gear:
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 24-70 f/2.8
Alienbee AB 1600 with a 4-foot Octobank powered by a Vagabond II
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