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28 New Portraits By Brock Elbank That Look Beyond Appearance To The Stories Behind The Faces
British photographer Brock Elbank has spent much of his career creating portraits of people whose faces, bodies, and life experiences challenge the narrow ideas of appearance we are used to seeing in mainstream imagery. From freckles and vitiligo to scars, birthmarks, disabilities, and life-changing injuries, his work places individuality firmly at the center of the frame. Bored Panda has featured Elbank’s distinctive portraiture before, and his approach remains immediately recognizable. Subjects are often photographed against simple backgrounds, with little to distract from their expressions, skin, and features. Rather than smoothing away the details that make someone stand out, Elbank gives viewers an opportunity to really look at them, and, more importantly, at the person they belong to.
That interest in the person behind what we immediately see is also driving one of Elbank’s newest and most personal projects: homelessness. The idea began developing after the COVID-19 pandemic, when Elbank noticed the number of people experiencing homelessness in London. In late 2024, he began trying to better understand their everyday circumstances and challenges. He is now traveling around Britain and photographing people who have experienced many different forms of homelessness, not only sleeping on the street, but also staying on friends’ couches, living in cars, tents, or abandoned buildings, sleeping at workplaces, and finding shelter wherever they could. Elbank hopes eventually to create 101 portraits for the series and exhibit the completed work in Liverpool. His goal is both to challenge assumptions about who can become homeless and to share stories from people who have managed to rebuild their lives, offering a reminder that homelessness does not have one face, one cause, or one experience.
We also reached out to Elbank to learn more about what drives his work and how his new project fits into it. So scroll down to learn more about his past projects, read the full interview, explore a selection of his work over the years, and let us know which portraits stayed with you the most.
More info: Instagram | mrelbank.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
“Valentyna”
Photo series: Superhumans Center
Description: “Valentyna Osychenko, 59.
Hailing from Sievierodonetsk, Luhansk region. Before the full-scale invasion, she worked as a baker - she made bread. On May 20, 2022, she was seriously injured during a Russian shelling. At the moment of impact, Valentyna was preparing lunch at an outdoor kitchen. She sustained severe injuries: facial trauma, a traumatic brain injury, and the loss of an eye.
She received first aid on site and was evacuated first to Lysychansk and Bakhmut, and later to Dnipro. Eventually, she came to the Superhumans Center, where she underwent several surgeries as part of a joint Ukrainian-French facial reconstruction mission. Valentyna still has several surgeries ahead of her.
Despite everything she has been through, she remains incredibly optimistic and full of life. During her recovery, she has participated in numerous photo and video projects aimed at supporting and inspiring others who have suffered severe facial injuries as a result of the war.”
His approach to photography runs through many of the projects represented in this collection. Freckles celebrates the seemingly endless variety of freckled faces, while Vitiligo brings together people from around the world living with the skin condition. His CMN project, created in collaboration with Caring Matters Now, photographed people with congenital melanocytic nevi, a type of birthmark that can sometimes cover large areas of the body. Scars, meanwhile, brings together subjects whose scars have very different origins and personal meanings. Other bodies of work, including Skin and Humankind, broaden that exploration even further. What connects them is that Elbank’s photographs are not simply studies of unusual physical characteristics. The people in front of his camera arrive with their own histories, relationships with their appearance, insecurities, confidence, and reasons for wanting to be photographed.
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#2
“Crystal Mitchell”
Photo series: Scars
LakotaWolf (she/her) 31 minutes ago
In her words: "In 2016 I was diagnosed with a rare facial bone cancer in my upper right jaw and for a 18 year old girl who was an inspiring actress and on her way to University, this was literally the worst news I had received in my entire life. How could a small abscess-like bump turn into something so big and monstrous that it would leave me feeling constant pain and not being able to smile anymore? It was horrible. Thankfully, after a year of chemotherapy the tumour went down in my face and I WAS able to smile and talk again... but not so fortunate was when I had the operation to take out the tumour which left me with so many challenges and harsh life lessons that I'm still trying to overcome today."
#3
“Axel Schylström”
Photo series: Scars
That distinction becomes particularly important when looking at some of his more recent work. In 2025, Elbank traveled to the Superhumans Center in Lviv, Ukraine, where he photographed soldiers and civilians who had sustained life-changing injuries. The center provides surgery, prosthetics, and rehabilitation, while Elbank’s portraits focus on the individuals living through those experiences rather than defining them solely by their injuries.
We first asked Elbank what inspired him to turn his attention toward homelessness and begin developing this particular project.
“As with all my work, it’s humanity that does the inspiring. The view of a single person walking down the street and their appearance is enough to ‘trigger’ something inside me to embark on diving into their world, to learn more, understand the subject more, and present my version of how I see them.
We are all surrounded by unique individuals with phenomenal journeys that need to be told, to celebrate the subject and educate the viewer...”
#7
“Kaine Buffonge”
Photo series: Freckles
Having photographed hundreds of people for projects such as Freckles, Vitiligo, CMN, and Scars, we were curious what continues to draw Elbank toward people who stand out from the crowd and their experiences.
“I’m fascinated with finding those who may stand out and those who often struggle with that. We are all, as humans, vulnerable in so many aspects; through the media, many from my previous works don’t fit the narrative of what is deemed to be what society strives for.
Though in my eyes these people are exceptional and simply why I want to document”
#8
“Eddie”
Photo series: Superhumans Center
Description: “Eddie a British volunteer from Dorset. Before the war, he travelled the oceans, working on large sailing yachts, crossing the Atlantic 9 times, and competing in offshore racing events. After Russia launched its full scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Eddie decided to give up this life at sea to become a humanitarian volunteer.
Since the Autumn of 2022, he has worked to provide humanitarian support to civilians living in some of the hardest hit areas of the frontline. His work includes providing food, water and medical aid to cut off towns, infrastructure projects such as repairing war damaged buildings and cleaning and improving evacuation routes, and evacuating civilians from cities experiencing active fighting. On the 30/1/25 Eddie and his team lead Plylp from @base_ua_ngo were working in the city of Pokrovsk in Donbas. As they were exiting the city on their second evacuation of the day, and with two civilians onboard, their clearly marked humanitarian vehicle was targeted by a Russian FPV drone. The attack took Eddie’s left arm and leg, with the rest of the passengers receiving non life threatening injuries. Plylp’s quick thinking and professionalism in applying multiple tourniquets and coordinating the casevac saved his life. After the initial trauma surgery in Dobropillya Eddie was transferred to Kyiv where he spent 6 weeks undergoing 15+ surgeries to manage the wounds and help fight the infection. After closing he was transferred to Superhumans where he began his rehabilitation journey. Following months of challenging work, he was released back into the wild with a new leg, and at the same time became a member of the Superhumans team, as an ambassador, promoting their work, his story, and the Ukrainian story, in the English speaking world, raising awareness for the courage and bravery of Ukrainians. He’s also been able to return to sailing, competing in the European Parasailing Championships in Norway in August. He is making the most of the second chance his teammates gave him.”
#9
“Beau Zanca”
Photo series: Scars
LakotaWolf (she/her) 45 minutes ago
I did some research: "After watching a Chicago Cubs’ game at Wrigley Field [in April 2017], Beau Zanca crashed on a friend’s couch. Hours later, he woke up to an apartment full of smoke. Zanca, then 22, rushed to get his friend and helped her jump out of the window. He went back into the apartment to help her roommate, but was met with intense smoke and couldn’t escape. Minutes later, firefighters arrived to rescue them." - After he arrived at the hospital, doctors placed him in a medically induced coma to treat the third- and fourth-degree burns he suffered over 60 percent of his body. Zanca cannot use his left hand to grip because of these burns. Upon waking, he felt helpless because he couldn't walk or talk. He had a tracheotomy to help him breathe, which meant he had to re-learn how to speak." - After being released from hospital and going to rehab, he took up yoga and Pilates to help himself recover, and returned to graduate school.
We also wanted to know what Elbank looks for once someone is actually standing in front of his camera, beyond the physical characteristics that may have initially caught his attention.
“That’s a great question! I’ve documented over 700 people, from over 60 countries over this past 15 years or so. All ages and ethnic backgrounds, different cultures and appearances, and it’s an absolute pleasure to do so; you learn so much about humanity simply by listening and observing their personal journey.
I’m always looking to show that person (how I see them) how incredible I think they are. I have to learn, watch their mannerisms, see their strengths and weaknesses. I study their movements and their faces to find that angle, that look that presents what I see in them. All I’m interested in is their opinion of the image we’ve created; their approval is paramount.”
#11
“Elizabeth Soffe A.k.a. Miss Cheeky Pants”
Photo series: Scars
Description: “Older, Wiser and Cheekier Elizabeth Soffe aka Miss Cheeky Pants made her way with @sineadsoffe down the M40 to visit for a new series for Scars. We spent the day eating ice cream, pizza, bouncing on the trampoline with Olive, cutting my mum’s hair off and these photos. (MCP) has had several surgeries since last week worked together with more in October on her hands with the aim to separate her fingers. I ask Sinéad for an update so here goes. Since her photo shoot Elizabeth has been busy. Last year when she found out Birmingham Children's Hospital didn't have the funds for a laser machine to treat scars she decided to take things in hand. Approaching the problem with her characteristic enthusiasm she ran a marathon one mile a day. By the end she had raised an amazing £215,000. This meant she could fully fund the machine and also donate to several other charities. For her huge achievement she was named BCH xxx and also received a Pride of Birmingham Award. Since her photos were taken she has also had two operations to release her scars and to use the laser machine she funded. But Elizabeth's plans don't stop there, she is determined to continue fundraising, possibly something to do with roller skates. Shooting Miss Cheeky Pants is like working no one else I’ve ever met before MCP’s confidence and easy manner is simply infectious and when you get a Brockolli ‘Love You’ it’s special. Everything is done with a smile and we could take a leaf out of this kid’s book.”
LakotaWolf (she/her) 41 minutes ago
Background: "Elizabeth was just six months old when she almost died in a cot fire, suffering life-changing third-degree burns over 60% of her body. Her family was living in Qatar, where dad Liam was working as an engineer, when a faulty air conditioner sparked a blaze, engulfing her room and cot. As baby Elizabeth fought for her life – as well as burns, she had lost most of her fingers, part of her nose and an ear – Qatari doctors said they didn’t have the expertise to save her. In a frantic race against time, she was flown to Britain and admitted to the specialist burns unit at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Elizabeth spent weeks in a coma, followed by six months in intensive care, and has undergone more than 70 operations. She has grafts and reconstructive surgery every six months and needs regular physiotherapy to help ease her scars."
After spending so much time photographing people and hearing deeply personal stories, we wondered whether those experiences had changed Elbank’s own understanding of beauty.
“No. I’ve always found beauty to be universal, unique, and in those who don’t conform to what society classes as beauty. Of course I can look at those who fit that mold and appreciate their looks, though they saturate the pages and magazine stands. The interesting appearances of those who I document need to be documented; they need a visual representation to just show how incredible we all are.”
#13
“Isabella Welch”
Photo series: Scars
LakotaWolf (she/her) 38 minutes ago
"Bella’s life included medical challenges beginning at birth due to a severe facial cleft and later through a diagnosis of Vascular Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (VEDS). Yet, for those who knew her, these obstacles never defined her story. Bella met each moment with humility, humor, and remarkable resilience; qualities that made her presence feel both grounding and bright. Her spark shone through in the way she listened, laughed, inspired, and cared for others; it was that spark—not her circumstances—that shaped her legacy." Bella díed in 2025 aged 30.
Finally, we asked what he is currently working on and where the homelessness project may eventually lead.
“Another good question for me that is! I’m working on Homeless, and it’s a very personal project for me. After COVID-19, the number of people on the streets in London was off the charts, so in late 2024 I embarked on learning how those people survive by documenting my day-to-day from my car, through winter, to simply understand their circumstances and daily challenges.
I’m on the road around Britain documenting people who have at one time been homeless, slept rough, in an abandoned house, on someone’s sofa, under a bridge, in their car, etc, to educate people that anyone can end up on the street through no fault of their own. So I am reaching out to people who are passionate about sharing their experiences to show those on the street that there is a way back from rock bottom, that there is hope, and that even when life seems impossible, there is an inner strength to get back to whatever a normal life is...
I’m touring Britain and basing myself in my car to experience it firsthand, to live it and to understand it. Homelessness needs to be vanquished, and I look to document 101 portraits to share their experiences in an exhibition I aim to show in Liverpool once completed...”
#14
“Tessa”
Photo series: Humankind
LakotaWolf (she/her) 36 minutes ago
Tessa has a large birthmark called a "port-wine stain" (nevus flammeus.) They are not directly harmful or malignant, but "In the absence of successful treatment, hypertrophy (increased tissue mass) of the stains may cause problems later in life, such as loss of function (especially if the stain is near the eye or mouth), bleeding, and increasing disfigurement. Lesions on or near the eyelid can be associated with glaucoma."
#15
“Carlotta Bertotti”
Photo series: Humankind
LakotaWolf (she/her) 34 minutes ago
Carlotta has what is called "nevus of Ota": "Nevus of Ota (oculodermal melanocytosis) is a rare, non-cancerous birthmark or acquired skin condition causing blue, gray, or brown patches on one side of the face and frequently coloring the white of the eye. It results from extra pigment cells (melanocytes) trapped deep in the skin."
#17
“Youkang Wu”
Photo series: CMN
LakotaWolf (she/her) 28 minutes ago
This child (whose name means "pray for health") has Congenital Melanocytic Nevus, which is a medical condition characterized by large, dark, mole-like birthmarks covering a significant portion of the body. The nevii are benign, but larger ones may develop into melanoma later on in life.
#18
“Daryl”
Photo series: Scars
Description:
LakotaWolf (she/her) 26 minutes ago
Daryl has Pfeiffer syndrome, which "is a rare genetic disorder, characterized by the premature fusion of certain bones of the skull (craniosynostosis), which affects the shape of the head and face. The syndrome includes abnormalities of the hands and feet, such as wide and deviated thumbs and big toes. There is no cure for the syndrome. Treatment is supportive and often involves surgery in the earliest years of life to correct skull deformities and respiratory function.[2] Most persons with Pfeiffer syndrome type 1 have a normal intelligence and life span; types 2 and 3 typically cause neurodevelopmental disorders and early d***h. Later in life, surgery can help in bone formation and facial construction."
#20
“Daniel Sweig”
Photo series: Scars
LakotaWolf (she/her) 24 minutes ago
"Daniel has overcome some staggering obstacles, including substance ábuse that led to a horrendous car crash, and ultimately resulted in him losing half of his face. Since the accident Daniel has gone on to get sober and learn his life's purpose. He is now launching the New Earth Animal Sanctuary for the prevention of cruelty to, and the commercialization of animals, especially farm animals."
#21
“Oleg”
Photo series: Superhumans Center
Description: “Introducing our 4th subject the superb Oleg who had some serious presence in the room. Even due to the language barrier we understood one another and he actually share surveillance footage of the explosion where he received his injuries! Oleg is a veteran from Kryvyi Rih - an entrepreneur and passionate rock climber. At the onset of the full-scale invasion, he volunteered for military service, but due to his age (53), he was initially turned away. Just a few days later, he was already on the frontlines, digging trenches.
He served in the south, took part in the liberation of Beryslav, and later fought in the battles for Soledar and Bakhmut. In June 2023, while en route to frontline positions near Kostyantynivka, his vehicle was struck by an enemy ATGM. He sustained severe shrapnel injuries, deep burns, and lost an eye. Despite this, he managed to administer first aid to himself and walk nearly a kilometer to reach his comrades.
Oleg’s face was disfigured beyond recognition. At the Vinnytsia Regional Burn Center, he underwent skin grafting with artificial skin and had the first shrapnel fragments removed. The next stage of care took place at Superhumans, where surgeons performed orbital reconstruction, fitted an ocular implant, corrected the lower eyelid, and carried out procedures to restore facial aesthetics.
Throughout his treatment and rehabilitation, Oleg was supported by his wife - they’re now climbing again together. He jokes that he’s become a “one-eyed climber” and dreams of creating an inclusive team of veteran climbers, building his own climbing gym, and helping others reconnect with life through sport.”
#22
“Yevhen”
Photo series: Superhumans Center
Description: “Considering the severe nature of our 5th subject’s injuries Yevhen had a wicked sense of humor, a real Joker who got the nickname Spidey! Yevhen, 31, is originally from Horishni Plavni. Before joining the military, he worked as a driver.
In 2022, following the start of the full-scale invasion, he volunteered for military service. Yevhen has combat experience dating back to 2016–2017, when he fought on the Luhansk frontline.
During the full-scale war, he carried out combat missions in the Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, and Donetsk regions.
Amid active fighting, he sustained a shrapnel wound to the neck. After receiving medical treatment, he returned to the front line. On October 6, 2024, during an attack in Donetsk Oblast, Yevhen suffered burns covering approximately 20% of his body. He was forced to evacuate through flames. He was first taken to a stabilization point, then transferred to an intensive care unit in Dnipro, and later to St. Luke’s Hospital in Lviv for further treatment. In May, Yevhen ended up at the Superhumans Center, where doctors began rehabilitation focused on his hands - the area most severely affected by the burns. A complex surgery was performed by a team of Ukrainian and British surgeons, involving partial skin grafting to restore mobility in his fingers on the left hand. The procedure was successful, and he has begun to regain movement. Another operation is planned on the right hand to improve function.
After completing treatment and rehabilitation, Yevhen plans to return to military service.”
Deborah McKenney 1 hour ago
Spider has a fantastic smile … can see his sense of humor all over his face.
#23
“Ivan”
Photo series: Superhumans Center
Description: “Ivan, 29. Nova Odesa, Ukraine
Before the war, Ivan worked as a service engineer and also ran a small cargo transport business.
In 2023, he volunteered for the Armed Forces of Ukraine in Mykolaiv.
He served in the Kherson direction, as well as in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
On the night of September 4, 2024, during a combat mission, his vehicle hit a landmine.
His childhood friend was killed instantly. Ivan lost one of his arms.
After applying tourniquets himself, he walked nearly three kilometers under shelling to reach a safe zone.
He was later evacuated and received emergency medical care in Sloviansk, then Dnipro and Kyiv.
In April 2025, Ivan arrived at the Superhumans center, where he underwent prosthetic rehabilitation.
He is currently looking for work — open to both civilian and military roles.”
#24
“Yuriy”
Photo series: Superhumans Center
LakotaWolf (she/her) 21 minutes ago
While I could not find any deeper info about Yuriy, Mr. Elbank tagged his entry with hashtags for "war", "soldier", and "Ukraine".
#25
“Ruslana”
Photo series: Superhumans Center
Description: “At the age of 18, Ruslana joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine, serving as a signal operator. On February 10, 2023, during a mortar attack, she sustained a severe injury that resulted in the loss of her leg.
After the injury, Ruslana went through a difficult period, depression, despair, and a loss of identity. However, following prosthetics and rehabilitation at the Superhumans Center, she realized that she could return to a full and active life.
She began sharing her journey publicly and soon launched a blog that now has over 132,000 followers. Through it, Ruslana shows that life after amputation does not end, it simply changes.
With her prosthetic, she has already tried almost everything: she has completed a 5km run, taken up climbing, wake surfing, and even surfing.
Today, Ruslana inspires wounded Ukrainians, especially women, who are walking their own path of acceptance and recovery. A few months after receiving her prosthesis, she joined the Superhumans team, where she now works as part of the communications department and serves as an ambassador for the Center.”
#26
“Shanks”
Photo series: Vitiligo
Description: “Shanks was an interesting one as he’d covered his patch at work for all time and I just it was such a great look. His shoot went smoothly and I kinda felt he’d fallen in love with his eye patch just a bit more after he left. Such a fantastic face.”
#27
“Oleksandr”
Photo series: Superhumans Center
Description: “Oleksandr - Serviceman, patient with a combat-related facial injury. Before the full-scale invasion, he worked in the coal industry in the Lviv region as an underground electrician. Before the war, he was a civilian and had no military experience. On 27/02/22 he voluntarily reported to the military enlistment office. He took part in battles in the following areas: Kharkiv region, Izium forest - his first combat deployment, Donetsk region - the area of New York and Avdiivka, Bakhmut direction - the village of Klishchiivka, Zaporizhzhia region - the area of Mala Tokmachka, where Oleksandr was wounded. During a reconnaissance mission (surveying the area), Oleksandr’s group was spotted by an enemy drone. As a result of the subsequent artillery shelling, he was wounded by shrapnel to the face. After the injury, he managed to run approximately one kilometre to the evacuation vehicle. He was then evacuated to a hospital in Zaporizhzhia. Due to the serious facial injury, Oleksandr was unable to eat independently for four months and was fed through a tube. He lost his sense of taste and smell, experienced significant hearing loss in his right ear, had speech difficulties, and partially lost nasal breathing function. At the Superhumans Center, he underwent five facial reconstructive surgeries, which helped restore nasal breathing and the ability to eat without assistance. Temporary dental implants were also installed, and his appearance significantly improved. Oleksandr no longer wears a mask as he did during the first year after the injury. He notes that the support of his family — especially his wife and son — has helped him cope psychologically. Several more surgeries are still ahead for Oleksandr.”
#28
“Derek Owusu”
Photo series: Scars
LakotaWolf (she/her) 17 minutes ago
Derek is an author! "Owusu, of Ghanaian heritage, was raised in foster care by a white family in a village in Suffolk until he was eight years old. In 1997, he moved from Suffolk to North London to live with his biological parents." Derek was diagnosed with BPD and suffered a breakdown and had to be hospitalized in a mental health facility. His scars are from self-hárm and suícide attempts, of which he made several when he was younger.
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LakotaWolf (she/her) 17 minutes ago
I have tried to research and provide further info about these beautiful individuals where I was able to find further info. Humans are naturally curious and we often want to know the "why" of people with facial differences or deformities. We must use this curiosity to educate ourselves and to realize that a person with a deformity, facial difference, scar, etc. is a person just like we are. Don't look away from someone who is scarred or different-looking. Don't stare, either! XD Smile and say hello, because they are a human being too. My dad suffered catastrophic brain damage in an accident when I was 18, and though the accident didn't affect his facial appearance, he had an unsettling vacancy/look in his eyes after the accident, and it made people uncomfortable to look at him. I understand that. It's okay to feel uncomfortable. But I do wish more people had said hello to him and given him a smile rather than turned away from him as fast as possible. Photo of my dad and I below :)
Hidrėlėy (Post author) 4 minutes ago
Thank you so much for taking the time to research these people and share what you found with us. It truly means a lot. ❤️ And thank you especially for sharing the story about your dad. What you wrote is such an important reminder that behind every scar, facial difference, or appearance that may catch our attention, there is simply a person who deserves the same kindness, respect, and warmth as anyone else. I really appreciate you adding something so meaningful to this article. Sometimes a reader’s comment can add another layer to a story, and I think yours did exactly that. Thank you for your kindness, your curiosity, and for helping us learn a little more about the people in these photographs. ❤️
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LakotaWolf (she/her) 17 minutes ago
I have tried to research and provide further info about these beautiful individuals where I was able to find further info. Humans are naturally curious and we often want to know the "why" of people with facial differences or deformities. We must use this curiosity to educate ourselves and to realize that a person with a deformity, facial difference, scar, etc. is a person just like we are. Don't look away from someone who is scarred or different-looking. Don't stare, either! XD Smile and say hello, because they are a human being too. My dad suffered catastrophic brain damage in an accident when I was 18, and though the accident didn't affect his facial appearance, he had an unsettling vacancy/look in his eyes after the accident, and it made people uncomfortable to look at him. I understand that. It's okay to feel uncomfortable. But I do wish more people had said hello to him and given him a smile rather than turned away from him as fast as possible. Photo of my dad and I below :)
Hidrėlėy (Post author) 4 minutes ago
Thank you so much for taking the time to research these people and share what you found with us. It truly means a lot. ❤️ And thank you especially for sharing the story about your dad. What you wrote is such an important reminder that behind every scar, facial difference, or appearance that may catch our attention, there is simply a person who deserves the same kindness, respect, and warmth as anyone else. I really appreciate you adding something so meaningful to this article. Sometimes a reader’s comment can add another layer to a story, and I think yours did exactly that. Thank you for your kindness, your curiosity, and for helping us learn a little more about the people in these photographs. ❤️
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