Covid-19 has affected everyone greatly. At its worst, it has caused loss of life, loss of a livelihood for many, separated loved ones and changed how we interact with strangers and family alike. It has isolated the elderly, and created a culture of caution and fear.

For me, it has also created a mystery; I have always been fascinated by faces and now, the inability to scrutinize an entire face has become something of a game to me. I imagine what people look like and fill in the remainder of the face, often causing quite the surprise once a face is revealed. It has also changed my interaction with people as reacting to facial expressions is a large part of how I interact with people, yet all I am left with is eyes, which are often quite expressive, but not always.

As a way of welcoming spring, and the ability to meet people outdoors, I have begun Masked/Unmasked; a series which I am hoping will show our humanity, masked, or not.

I also asked each volunteer the following question: Other than wearing a mask, what is now a norm for you that you would have never thought before the pandemic? I call this “The Covid Truth”. Each person’s response is below their last photo.

If you’d like to be included, please send me an email or reach out on Instagram @faridanifoto