One fascinating function of the internet is how it allows us to share our esoteric ideas and goofy obsessions, and find our who else shares the interest. Odd side-projects that would otherwise never see the light of day can find enthusiastic participants online, and create unique niches.

Face Your Pockets is one of these projects. The instructions? Empty everything from your pockets or bag and arrange them on a scanner. Place your face on the scanner—as the proud owner of all this detritus—scan the assortment, then send it in.

What is a very simple idea has inspired some impressive submissions from all over the world. Flotsam and jetsam—viewed from the bottom up—creates an appealingly skewed perspective, the owner’s flattened face renders the image intimate, and the harsh light from the scanner makes the final photo unearthly.

Most interesting to me is the range and breadth of stuff that comes out onto the scanner: lint, coins, wrappers, jewelry, art supplies, phones, cigarettes, identity cards. Some photos are covered in objects, the faces of the photographers almost completely obscured. Others, their pockets with a paucity of junk, line up their few coins or matchsticks and face their objects baldly.

Face your pockets!