Former U.S. Marine Joel Pares cautions us about the dangers of "judging a book by its cover," in his new series 'Judging America.'
The Dallas-based photographer seeks to question long-held prejudices on race, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status that seem to run rampant and unchecked in our culture. Pares photographs his subjects twice: once, in a way where they personify a prevalent stereotype, and the other where they are photographed as themselves. The two portraits, which are shown side by side, present the prejudice against the reality in a striking way; one that might have you thinking twice before labeling a stranger.
The powerful series demonstrates that coming to conclusions about others, before we know the full story, can be damaging and painful.
Stereotype-Challenging Portraits
'Judging America' Reveals Ingrained Prejudices
Trend Themes
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Stereotype-challenging Portraits — Opportunity to challenge and question long-held prejudices through visual storytelling.
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Questioning Prejudices — Using photography to reveal and dissect societal stereotypes.
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Reframing Perception — Highlighting the dangers of judging others based solely on appearances through powerful dual portraits.
Industry Implications
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Photography — Innovative techniques and approaches in photography that challenge societal norms and perceptions.
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Social Justice — Creating awareness and prompting conversations about biases and prejudices in society.
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Education — Developing curriculum and resources that promote empathy and understanding by examining stereotypes and prejudices.