Brandon Stanton

A mesmerizing collection of photographs of the many New Yorkers Brandon Stanton has interviewed for his blog, demonstrating that although not all of us have lived a life worthy of a riveting biopic, there is something interesting and compelling to be found in everyone. The photos, presented alongside quotes from each individual, reveal our shared humanity; everyone one we pass on the street has a unique story, a history, thoughts and memories, just as we do. I applaud those unafraid to show more express their individuality, and I admire Stanton for having the courage to approach complete strangers in pursuit of this project -- the results are simultaneously inspiring, heartbreaking and adorable. show less

While Stanton's earlier work featured portrait photographs specifically in New York, his latest takes him around the globe with people's photographs and stories from Iran, Ghana, Italy, France, and more (and yes, in New York too). Each photograph has its subject clear with the background blurred, sometimes of a person or two seated in a park, or standing on the sidewalk, and other times it focuses on just part of the figure with the face cut off, hands clasped or holding a cigarette, or a show more phone held out showing an older photograph. Beside each are the person's story, whether that be struggles or heartache, a love story, or in some cases just one line of text.

Those familiar with Stanton's work on social media will find the form familiar and still appreciate this collection, some of which has been posted and others that I don't remember seeing at all. It's heartbreaking and joyful and all the emotions in between. In his introduction, Stanton reflects that a collection like this can't really capture the whole of human existence, but wow, what he does include is really striking, and left me thankful for the life I have. Some photos were so striking, I just had to look at the person for a bit before reading their story. In between sections, Stanton writes a few thoughts on "struggle" or "connection" and how his process of finding a photo subject and talking with them works. Highly recommended. show less

Summary: Brandon Stanton lost his job as a stock trader in Chicago in 2010, and began traveling the country, taking photos of the various places he went. When he got to New York City, the thing that most inspired him was the people, and he began taking portraits of people on the street. This book is a collection of 400 of these photographs, including many not previously posted on his blog.

Review: I don't remember exactly where I first came across Humans of New York - people sharing the show more photos on Facebook, I'd guess. But after seeing a few of them, I decided to investigate, and since that point have been an avid follower of Stanton's work. (You can check it out for yourself at the HONY Tumblr or Facebook page.) Although he's not a professionally trained photographer, he gets some stunning shots (this one gets a full two-page spread in the book, and it is even more beautiful in print), and even the ones that may not be technically perfect are still lovely due the emotion, and the diversity, and the humanity that he manages to capture in each and every one of his subjects. The best part about this book is not even the photos, but the way that the photos capture New York City's incredible diversity while still reminding us that each of Stanton's subjects - and by extension, every person we might pass on the street in the course of a day - has their own story, their own struggles, their own joys and sorrows. The only reason that I'm docking this book half a star is because the captions of many of the photos are relatively short. Relatively recently, Stanton has begun captioning each of the photos on his website with a quote from the subject, the result of a conversation, and these quotes (and Stanton's gift at connecting with strangers in such a way to elicit them) are what really sets the HONY project apart. But since many of the photos in this book are from earlier in the project, I missed the longer and more elaborate captions. But still: absolutely gorgeous book, and one that I am so pleased to own for myself. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Recommendation: Not all blogs make for good books, and not all coffee table books have something of substance to say along with all the pretty pictures, but in both cases, Humans of New York is the exception to the rule. Definitely recommended for photography buffs and New Yorkers, but also for, y'know, people. show less

Brandon Stanton wanders around New York City taking photographs of people he sees on the streets and subways. People with interesting faces, interesting clothes, or interesting tattoos. People doing interesting things. People who look like they have interesting stories. People who happen to be nearby when he finds an interesting place to take a picture. With each photo, he includes a line or three of text, which might feature something that person said to him, or the circumstances under show more which he took the picture, or just a note of where it was taken.

It's all weirdly compelling, to the extent that once I started it, I just kept compulsively turning pages until I'd finished the whole book. I feel as if I should indulge in some high-brow speculation about why it's compelling: that it paints a vivid portrait of life in a particular place; or that you can't help but wonder about all these lives we're seeing only one tiny moment of, where these people came from and what they did after the camera was off them; or that it says something important, if hard to pin down, about the nature and diversity of humanity. But, honestly, I think it might be simpler than that. I think there might just be something in us that relishes the opportunity to stare at strangers, especially unusual-looking ones. show less