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Loneliness is New York’s leitmotif. This feeling is palpable everywhere in New York City—a place filled with 8 million people, many of whom are immigrants and transplants. There are different shades of it: the loneliness of an Uber driver who fled Venezuela, leaving his family behind, who sighs with relief when I quickly switch to Spanish; the loneliness that emanates from the people I talk to on dating apps; the loneliness of the middle-aged Ukrainian woman at my local supermarket, who tells me in Russian that I remind her of her son, who she left behind in a war-torn country and who she hasn’t seen in two years.
Finally, the loneliness of someone who doesn’t believe in a god, someone who is slowly starting to come to terms with the fundamental randomness and uncertainty in our world. All of these real people exist on the margins of the fast-paced world that is New York.
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#1
Final score:
71points
I moved to New York from Europe in 2014 after having been on the road for over a decade—I’d lived in six different countries, changing location every year. I came to New York in order to pursue a photography career. During a three-month-long visit to the city a few years ago, a street photography series was born that I felt I wanted to finish.
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People from all walks of life share the streets of Manhattan—this bizarre Tower of Babel is a true feast for photography art. And yet, it’s a constant struggle: one day, the city fascinates me. The next, I’ve had enough.
#4
Final score:
59points
#5
Final score:
57points
Christine K 6 years ago
This picture gave me a calming feeling though - like he's just savoring the silence and stillness.
There are so many crowds in New York, and there are also so many lonely people. This is not only because there are many of us here who are newcomers without family or friends nearby; the technology that has slowly taken over our lives, separating us from one another, also plays a part.
#6
Final score:
52points
Sophia Cai 6 years ago
That's just a persistent guy, or one that doesn't want to lose to his friends :)
#7
Final score:
52points
Ironically, despite New York’s density, it is not hard to feel alone. So many people here are focused on money or their careers. It often feels like no one has any energy left for emotional conversation, for relationships. Although it isn’t difficult to find company, many of the interactions we have with each other are empty and meaningless. It’s easy to be lonely and anonymous in a city like this. It’s easy to get lost.
#10
Final score:
41points
Nebraska King-Sky 6 years ago
This is the only one that looks lonely to me. Being alone doesn't make one lonely. Loneliness can be experienced in a room full of people...even people you know. Personally, I enjoy quiet, contemplative time to myself.
#17
Final score:
23points
#18
Final score:
22points
Christine K 6 years ago
This one isn't lonely for me - I just think that she's rushing home to make dinner :D
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What do you think ?
Ben Smith 6 years ago
How could you possibly know if these people are "lonely?" Being alone in any given moment doesn't mean a person is lonely. Many people - most people probably - enjoy a little solitude each and every day and they're anything but "lonely."
Layla Brown 6 years ago
For all you know these people could be on their way to a great party, or have just left one. Loneliness is a mental state, I think you meant solitude.
Meowton Mewsk 6 years ago
The introduction statement seemed pretty clueless to me. The loneliness of a person who doesn’t believe in a god? Uh. No. What? I’m sure there are many lonely atheists but not because they are atheists. What an ignorant thing to say. And anyway, some of these photos seem staged and not candid. And many others just look like people walking alone. Any of those people could be walking towards their families, lovers, friends or pets. Or might be totally alone but not lonely. It’s shallow to try and create drama, trauma and sadness out of bland a*s basic s**t.
Fi Barry 6 years ago
Beautiful photos but like others have said they do not express the truth of loneliness... Maybe the joy of solitude
Mark Fuller 6 years ago
Do they exist on the margins or are they in the majority. When I moved from a country village to London, it was from a population of <500 to c. 8m and it was by far the loneliest place I've encountered. I'd prefer to be alone than surrounded by people yet still on my own.
Laura Ketteridge 2 years ago
The photographer has produced some lovely images, but the narrative of all of these people being lonely feels rather contrived.
MelO 2 years ago
The pictures are lovely, but there is so much projection that if the subject is not actively engaged with others at that very moment they must be lonely. I loved sitting in Bryant park with a book and a coffee. I don't see loneliness, I see a peaceful moment in a busy life. Also, I assume these people do not know/agree to the person taking pictures of them and posting them, which is a bit....iffy to me.
Jknbt 2 years ago (edited)
how do you deal with being alone when living in the big city when surrounded by people? The solution is to find something you are interested in and join a small group with like-minded people. You build a surrogate family with connections to one degree or another... Find an open group that you are interested in.... Church, synagogue, and religion are always a great place to start.. All big cities will have at least one church with a large singles group. You may not agree with everything they say, but it can still be worthwhile socially to go be with them. Other groups are political action groups, environmental concerns groups, and other groups. The worst thing you can do is to go into your lonely apartment on Friday night, hole up, and stay there alone until you go out again Monday morning. Don't do this. And don't just go to a bar, sit all night, and drink beer with strangers. You might get someone to chat with you, but these people are not your friends. Don't expect them to care about you or do anything for you. It can be very lonesome to live in a big city and not know anybody. This is the way to deal with it. Yes, this works, try it and see.
DrLivingstonipresume 2 years ago
To the person who made this list: put the camera away. You are a terrible photographer and, it seems, a terrible person. You chose to invade the space and privacy of other human beings for a little bit of recognition. Gross. I am thankful that the BP community chose to call you out. Oh, and you aren't deep or thoughtful. You are shallow and simple. Just yuck.
Joe S 5 years ago
I agree with everyone else - the opening statement is very true, often people living in large urban areas are the loneliest, the same is said about London back home. being around people does not make the loneliness disappear. But to think everyone in these photos without ever speaking to them is lonely is far fetched. As a set of photos though, they are amazing. Street photography is not easy and personally I think these look fantastic, both the composition, mood and atmosphere of each is great. The photographer is very skilled.
Night Owl 6 years ago
Where are all the people? I only know New York from TV and movies and there always seem to be crowds and traffic...
Joyce Blodgett 1 year ago
"Loneliness"? Since when is a person sitting in a park, clearly reading something he's immersed in, "lonely"? Since when is it "lonely" to be walking any city street with a headset on and SOMEONE WALKING RIGHT NEXT TO YOU? Since when is being alone by choice something that is "lonely" to the stalking photographer---because that's what you did, you stalked all of the subjects of your photos. I didn't get the impression of loneliness from any one of these, only the choice to be alone. Rethink your title---it seriously needs revision!
Kenny Kulbiski 6 years ago
I really liked the photos but the only one I saw that could be loneliness is the girl on the subway. The rest looked like people looking for a little solitude, which I imagine is hard to find in New York.
Ben Smith 6 years ago
How could you possibly know if these people are "lonely?" Being alone in any given moment doesn't mean a person is lonely. Many people - most people probably - enjoy a little solitude each and every day and they're anything but "lonely."
Layla Brown 6 years ago
For all you know these people could be on their way to a great party, or have just left one. Loneliness is a mental state, I think you meant solitude.
Meowton Mewsk 6 years ago
The introduction statement seemed pretty clueless to me. The loneliness of a person who doesn’t believe in a god? Uh. No. What? I’m sure there are many lonely atheists but not because they are atheists. What an ignorant thing to say. And anyway, some of these photos seem staged and not candid. And many others just look like people walking alone. Any of those people could be walking towards their families, lovers, friends or pets. Or might be totally alone but not lonely. It’s shallow to try and create drama, trauma and sadness out of bland a*s basic s**t.
Fi Barry 6 years ago
Beautiful photos but like others have said they do not express the truth of loneliness... Maybe the joy of solitude
Mark Fuller 6 years ago
Do they exist on the margins or are they in the majority. When I moved from a country village to London, it was from a population of <500 to c. 8m and it was by far the loneliest place I've encountered. I'd prefer to be alone than surrounded by people yet still on my own.
Laura Ketteridge 2 years ago
The photographer has produced some lovely images, but the narrative of all of these people being lonely feels rather contrived.
MelO 2 years ago
The pictures are lovely, but there is so much projection that if the subject is not actively engaged with others at that very moment they must be lonely. I loved sitting in Bryant park with a book and a coffee. I don't see loneliness, I see a peaceful moment in a busy life. Also, I assume these people do not know/agree to the person taking pictures of them and posting them, which is a bit....iffy to me.
Jknbt 2 years ago (edited)
how do you deal with being alone when living in the big city when surrounded by people? The solution is to find something you are interested in and join a small group with like-minded people. You build a surrogate family with connections to one degree or another... Find an open group that you are interested in.... Church, synagogue, and religion are always a great place to start.. All big cities will have at least one church with a large singles group. You may not agree with everything they say, but it can still be worthwhile socially to go be with them. Other groups are political action groups, environmental concerns groups, and other groups. The worst thing you can do is to go into your lonely apartment on Friday night, hole up, and stay there alone until you go out again Monday morning. Don't do this. And don't just go to a bar, sit all night, and drink beer with strangers. You might get someone to chat with you, but these people are not your friends. Don't expect them to care about you or do anything for you. It can be very lonesome to live in a big city and not know anybody. This is the way to deal with it. Yes, this works, try it and see.
DrLivingstonipresume 2 years ago
To the person who made this list: put the camera away. You are a terrible photographer and, it seems, a terrible person. You chose to invade the space and privacy of other human beings for a little bit of recognition. Gross. I am thankful that the BP community chose to call you out. Oh, and you aren't deep or thoughtful. You are shallow and simple. Just yuck.
Joe S 5 years ago
I agree with everyone else - the opening statement is very true, often people living in large urban areas are the loneliest, the same is said about London back home. being around people does not make the loneliness disappear. But to think everyone in these photos without ever speaking to them is lonely is far fetched. As a set of photos though, they are amazing. Street photography is not easy and personally I think these look fantastic, both the composition, mood and atmosphere of each is great. The photographer is very skilled.
Night Owl 6 years ago
Where are all the people? I only know New York from TV and movies and there always seem to be crowds and traffic...
Joyce Blodgett 1 year ago
"Loneliness"? Since when is a person sitting in a park, clearly reading something he's immersed in, "lonely"? Since when is it "lonely" to be walking any city street with a headset on and SOMEONE WALKING RIGHT NEXT TO YOU? Since when is being alone by choice something that is "lonely" to the stalking photographer---because that's what you did, you stalked all of the subjects of your photos. I didn't get the impression of loneliness from any one of these, only the choice to be alone. Rethink your title---it seriously needs revision!
Kenny Kulbiski 6 years ago
I really liked the photos but the only one I saw that could be loneliness is the girl on the subway. The rest looked like people looking for a little solitude, which I imagine is hard to find in New York.
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