Story
This photograph was taken in New York City in 2012. I was visiting for about five days and staying in a very modest place somewhere in the middle of the city—more of a hostel than a hotel, if I remember correctly. Nothing fancy. Just a place to sleep while exploring.
I arrived, made my way from the airport, and eventually came up from the subway into the streets of Manhattan. Suddenly I was surrounded by towering buildings on all sides. It was that classic first moment in New York—standing there, looking up, realizing you’re in the middle of one of the most famous cities in the world.
Naturally, I pulled out my phone and took a quick photo to post on Facebook. “Here I am in New York City.”
When I looked at the picture, though, something bothered me. Right in the middle of the frame was a traffic light. It seemed like it was ruining the view.
Then I had a realization.
In New York City, there are traffic lights everywhere. No matter where I pointed the camera, one would probably end up in the frame. So instead of trying to avoid them, I decided to embrace them.
That became my little project for the trip.
Read the entire story in “Stories Behind the Lens” on Substack