mellino1974@sbcglobal.net

www.mellinophotography.com

This month gives me the opportunity to enter in really "uncharted waters", as far as my photographic styles are concerned...in fact I rarely aim at people portraits as a subject of my work, which usually is centered on landscapes, nature and street images for the most. However, as we continue to live a mostly secluded life, and adhere to strict "masking" rules whenever venturing out in the world, I began to wonder how other people "really" look beneath their face covering? We certainly remember the appearance of close friends and family, but...what about a new casual encounter, a new work associate or the clerk at the store? Will we recognize them once the "mask" will some day come down, hopefully? Which human feature is most likely to be imprinted in our visual memory, if not someone FACE? We are keeping ourselves safe, but we are also giving up on a great pleasure in life: to look at people, to admire their beauty which is always there, no matter their age, race or gender.

All these are the faces of people I have encountered here and there over the years; some are more beautiful or fun than others, some are more meaningful to me personally, but they all are simply an example of what every one of us has impressed in their mind. There is always an interesting story behind a face, there are emotions, dreams and hopes and sadness at times. Our faces are really the mirror of our life...