STEPHANIE de LENG’S striking photographs of real people revealing the parts of their bodies they dislike the most is returning to Liverpool for an encore exhibition.

Body Landscapes, which will open at Blackburne House on July 5, features an abdominal scar, a female torso after extreme weight loss, rotted teeth and disfigured feet.

A former international model turned photographer and writer, Liverpool-based de Leng created the work as a reaction to her modelling commissions were mostly body-related.

She says: “I felt that just as looking at images of perfection is depressing, I decided that looking at humanity as it really is – warts, scars, cellulite and all – could be paradoxically uplifting. I have asked random people to confront their deepest insecurities by revealing to the camera the parts of themselves they struggle to like.

“Instead of trying to cover up and beautify, I have approached this project from the viewpoint of a landscape photographer, striving to reveal as much detail and definition as possible within a pleasing composition.”

The exhibition will be accompanied by a debate, entitled Body Image and the Media and How it Affects Young Adults, held on July 15 at Blackburne House.

Chaired by Radio Merseyside presenter Roger Philips, it is open to the general public and will be streamed live on the internet at www.livestream.com/liverpoolstories.

Throughout the exhibition, there will be an opportunity for visitors to post their feelings and reactions on a notice board.