9 Ex-Gang Members With Their Tattoos Removed

Seeing a fully tattooed person in a shady neighborhood can create all kinds of negative assumptions. But sometimes (if not most of the time) they’re just stereotypes, that actually make the lives of these people quite a bit harder. That’s the topic photographer Steven Burton explores in his photo series “Skin Deep” where he removes tattoos from ex-gang members to show the person beneath.

“When I started Skin Deep I had a simple concept: take portraits of heavily tattooed ex-gangsters and do tattoo removal using digital re-touching to create before and after portraits,” Burton writes on his Kickstarter page. “Most of the homeboys/girls hadn’t seen themselves without the gang tattoos for decades, so during the interviews, I presented the photoshopped images. There was a deep emotional response by the subjects.”

“These images inspire personal insight from the subjects and elicit questions of how we as a society perceive and judge those with tattoos and how this stigma goes so far as to influence these former gang member’s perception of themselves.”

The photographer spent two years and over 400 hours on Photoshop to create the cool photos and turn it into a book. The last thing that’s missing is your support on Kickstarter.

More info: kickstarter | steven burton | (h/t: demilked, designboom)

#1

Ex-gang member with extensive facial and arm tattoos, seeking tattoo removal.

Ex-gang member in a black tank top with tattoos removed, confidently looking ahead.

#2

Ex-gang member with tattoos sitting on a chair, symbolizing a change in lifestyle and identity.

Shirtless ex-gang member sitting on a chair, highlighting tattoo removal transformation.

#3

Ex-gang member with facial tattoos in a portrait, highlighting transformative tattoo removal stories.

Ex-gang member with tattoos removed, face close-up wearing a black hoodie, showcasing transformation.

#4

Ex-gang member displaying extensive tattoos prior to removal, showcasing personal transformation journey.

Ex-gang member standing shirtless, showcasing the area where tattoos were removed.

#5

Ex-gang member with prominent face tattoos, showcasing transformation after tattoo removal.

Ex-gang member with tattoos removed, eyes closed, wearing black shirt and cross necklace.

#6

Ex-gang member showing tattoos on arm and face, wearing a white tank top and dark pants.

Ex-gang member in a white tank top, tattoos removed, side profile.

#7

Ex-gang member with facial tattoos wearing a plaid shirt, part of Steven Burton's "Skin Deep" series.

Ex-gang member with tattoos removed, wearing a striped shirt, looking directly at the camera.

#8

Ex-gang member covered in tattoos, highlighting intricate designs before tattoo removal.

Ex-gang member stands shirtless with tattoos removed, representing transformation and change.

#9

Ex-gang member with visible facial tattoos, looking directly at the camera.

Ex-gang member with tattoos removed, photographed up close, showing a transformed appearance.

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