Albinism is defined as an absence of pigment in areas, particularly the eyes, hair, and skin, where pigment is almost always present in humans. It is a congenital disorder that results in an absence of or defect in tyrosinase, a copper-containing enzyme that plays a role in the production of melanin.

Many people who are albinos also have vision defects, such as photophobia, nystagmus, and amblyopia, and the lack of melanin also means that they are at unusual risk from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays.

Since they are so rare (approximately 1 person in 17,000), they are the object of unusual fascination. In her series Porcelain Beauty, Israeli photographer Yulia Taits highlights the angelic or ethereal quality that some albinos have. “Their unique beauty hypnotizes me,” she has said. “This beauty is so pure and amazing for me, as if it was taken from fantasies and fairy tale legends.”

Albinism is not limited to human beings—it can occur in all vertebrates. So Taits recruited an albino dog and an albino mouse as well (well, they’re white anyway).

“This series was an amazing experience for me because I could create this beautiful photography without Photoshop,” Taits said. “What transpired was pure natural beauty.”
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
via Lost at E Minor
 

Previously on Dangerous Minds:
Legendarily Unreliable Drug Sponge Seeks Albino Backup Band. No Weirdos.