MODERN YOGI :: New York, New York

THE MESSENGER :: New York, New York

Captured hear is one in thousands of messengers making his way from law firm to courthouse; courthouse to law firm; law firm to law firm; or law firm to entity. Possibly the most litigious society in the world, messengers serving or filing papers on behalf of law firms are constantly scurrying through the city by bicycle, by foot and by public transportation.

TOTAL DESPAIR :: New York, New York

I observed this character across the street from an open-window bar as he crept his way down the sidewalk, lit a cigarette and slowly sat in front of a nail salon, resting his bottle beside him. As he sat there frowned in deep thought he appeared to have just endeavoured one of his worst experiences or had given up hope in some sense.

ANTIQUE DIVA :: Brooklyn, New York

The Antique Diva was captured as a drive-by snipe at the corner of St. John’s Place and Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn. Garbed in a lacy tiered gown from a by-gone era and crowned with an incongruous baseball cap, she stands ever so stately in the corner of the street she seems to have claimed as her own stage. Representative of the typical appearance of a “Granny” in “the hood” on a late Sunday morning, the oddity that grants this particular one diva status is the baseball cap.

SUMMERGIRL :: New York, New York

A visual delight of natural elegance and beauty sitting on the steps of Union Square is Marisa. An instant favourite in my personal collection, I kept a 4”x6” proof in a small album I carried with me daily. Weeks later, I accidentally crossed paths with Marisa and recognised her as the subject of my photo. I showed her the photograph and she provided me with her details: “SummerGirl...@____.com.” This represents the only instance I’ve been able to name a Snipe Shot based on a title derived from the subject herself which certainly compliments her image.

HIGH DEMAND :: New York, New York

In New York City, there are instances where some level of aggression is probably required in order to get a service provided by the provider. In this example, I observed a woman quarrel with a taxi driver insisting that he pulls his car over to the curb so that she can load her items into the trunk. Having caused a minor scene, the taxi driver then complied with her demand.

NEW YORK'S FINEST :: New York, New York

A glimpse of everyday action by the New York Police Department (NYPD) a.k.a. “New York’s Finest”. The image of a woman reporting to police officers in the car was captured in St. Mark’s Place, East Village, Manhattan following a public display of domestic violence of which she was the victim.

THE NEWSSTAND MAN :: New York, New York

The News Stand Man spends much of his day within this box of consumables, newspapers, magazines, cigarettes, beverages and random items sold in convenience. I found myself fascinated by the world of the vendor who instinctively knows exactly where each item in stock rests.

TEXTBOOK TEAM BUILDER :: New York, New York

BUS STOP POPS :: Brooklyn, New York

THE MTA MAP :: New York, New York

THE PICK-UP :: New York, New York

ESPIONAGE :: New York, New York

THE ENTERTAINER :: New York, New York

New York is saturated with exceptionally talented individuals. Many take to the streets, the parks and the subways to gift the general public with their artistry in exchange for kind donations. It is very common to find several entertainers performing within Washington Square Park, each surrounded by their own plentiful audience. I found this character making his way into the park in full attire and perhaps a bag of tricks.

SPIDEY :: Brooklyn, New York

Not bitten by a radioactive spider as far as I know, but clearly in better physical condition than the average Joe in his age class. I captured “Spidey” as he speed walked across an intersection in front of the Brooklyn Public Library. Having realized that his form in the image mirrored that of the walk signal above him, this became of one my most favoured photographs.

FASHIONABLY STRAIT :: New York, New York

URBAN STUDIES :: New York, New York

UNION SQUARE HIPPIES :: New York, New York

Three warm souls radiate Love, Peace and Happiness.

THE CREW :: New York, New York

THE HUSTLER :: New York, New York

Not be mistaken for a conman in any sense, the characteristics and appearance of “The Hustler” proves universal in most urban settings. The walk, the talk and the no nonsense look on their faces are intentionally made readable to others as a form of street language. The Hustler takes pride in the ability to “make a dollar out of 15 cents” and may consider minor criminal activities a necessary means of survival in a world where “the system” (society) is perceived as an instrument designed to keep them down.

THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE :: New York, New York

As I sniped this woman standing at the very edge of the sidewalk an eerie feeling came over me. She appeared to be distraught. With each passing vehicle I nearly cringed in fear of the worst.

THE FEDEX MONK :: New York, New York

Sniping one day from the steps at Union Square, my attention was called by a friend who ranted: “The Monk! The Monk! Get the Monk!” As my eyes found “The Monk,” he made a right turn and started walking up the far end of the steps and out of vision. In the same split-second I noticed the FedEx under his arm and out of reflex threw myself backwards onto the pavement; rolled to one side; aimed with my manual-focus 300mm lens and shot twice just before he broke out of sight. Captured at an upward angle due to my ground position, the backdrop of the image is purely an out-of-focus tree. This enables one to imagine that the FedEx Monk is on mission determined to deliver his package to a temple in the mountains.

THE BEARDED DRAGON :: New York, New York

In the midst of the barely tolerable cold of New York’s brisk winter stands a woman dubbed “The Bearded Dragon.” Though bundled in layers of protective clothing, she painfully breathes the chilly air that is merciless on the human lungs. She is the metaphor of a dragon as she stops to observe others scurry by from the depths of the cold only flames could conquer.

SEEN IT ALL :: New York, New York

SKANKING IT SLOW :: New York, New York

As if Living the Lyrics of Bob Marley’s “Skanking It Slow”, This local Musician on the move stops and takes his time to enjoy a smoke.

THE TALE OF CROWN HEIGHTS :: Brooklyn, New York

This image is a representation of the cultural mix of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, which accounts for both the largest Hasidic Jewish community and the largest Caribbean / West Indian community in New York City. Tensions escalated between the two cultures in 1991 after an unfortunate vehicular accident killing one child and critically injuring another erupted into the Crown Heights Riots, which was fuelled by racial differences. The 3-day riots resulted in the random stabbing to death of a Jewish man; the acquittal then later conviction of his attacker; and the downfall of Mayor David Dinkins who was highly criticized for not immediately deploying police in greater numbers to remedy the situation.

SEGREGATION :: New York, New York

PAPER BAG & FUR :: New York, New York

New York City is where the glamorous world and the simple life share common ground. From models to domestic helps, from judges to janitors, New Yorkers are comfortable with “brown-bagging” it for lunch.

SLEEK & SLY :: New York, New York

FRAPPACINO :: New York, New York

Perhaps a routine frappuccino on a summer day is devoured before carrying on with her day.

THE SIDEWALK :: New York, New York

HOODED HORIZON :: New York, New York

FREEDOM OF SPEECH :: New York, New York

THE DIRECTOR :: New York, New York

Captured in the height of busyness on Lexington Avenue & 43rd Street, this character dubbed “The Director” stood at the edge of the sidewalk in deep concentration, projecting his hands as though he were orchestrating a great event.

DRY CRY :: New York, New York

A performing artist in deep thought, waiting at the crosswalk. The remnants of her recent tears, paled against the strength she bears. "Determined" is the face she wears, with "Focus" in her blankly stare. A symbol of a fate steered by one's faith revered.