Mark Laita’s Photographs Highlight the Equality of Our Differences

Fascinated by the diverse nature of the human race, photographer Mark Laita set about capturing it on film with these extraordinary black and white shots. Laita’s artistic vision has pitted the likes of a pimp against a polygamist, a ballerina with a boxer and Hells Angels’ with a group of choir boys. The results are funny, dark, beautiful and, most importantly, challenging. What makes us good, bad, sane or crazy is, unlike the pictures, not always as black and white as it may first seem. (Country Fair Livestock Show Contestant, 2003 / Cajun Man 2003 above)

Debutante, 2004 / Parolee,2004

Gang Member, 2006 / Mafioso, 2006

Indigent Couple, 2004 / Wealthy Couple, 2004

Philosophy Professor, 2007 / Auto Mechanic, 2003

Physician Assisted Suicide Patient, 2005 / Holocaust Survivor, 2005

Rock Musician, 2006 / Bullrider, 2007

Slot Machine Player, 2007 / Repo Man, 2002

Southener, 2004 / Hassidic Jew, 2007

Subway Musician, 2003 / High School Marching Band, 2004

Ballerina, 2002 / Boxer, 1999

Baptist Minister, 2002 / Ku Klux Klan, 2002

Fur Trapper, 2003 / Woman with Dog, 2004

Bank Robber, 2000 / Three Deputies, 2000

French Chef, 2006 / Short Order Cook, 1999

Motorcycle Gang, 2004 / Altar Boys, 2005

Marine, 2002 / War Veteran, 2004

Polygamists, 2004 / Pimp 2003

Astronaut, 2003 / Alien Abductee, 2005

Amish Teenagers, 2004 / Punk Teenagers, 2004

Baptist Churchgoer, 2004 / White Supremacist, 2003

Fortune Teller, 2007 / Executioner, 2002