Subways Are Their Own Separate World And These 48 Photos Prove It

We reached out to Rick, whose legendary Subway Creatures account showcases some of the weirdest, most bizarre things ever to be seen in New York City.

Bored Panda asked him for his thoughts about what makes New York City's subway system stand out from other metros around the world.

"For the better or worse— the people," he said. "NYC is home to 8 million people who mostly rely on the public transit system to get around," he explained.

"When you put that many people into a confined space, you are going to be presented with some of the most bizarre, interesting, and talented people," Rick told us via email.

Meanwhile, we were curious to get his take on public transportation photography. Namely, what the key to taking truly high-quality pictures that capture the chaotic atmosphere is.

"The secret to taking a great photo that captures the chaos in the subway is to make sure no one realizes you are doing it," Rick said.

He explained to Bored Panda that this approach "usually produces the best candid shots and captures the moment as people who are there see it."

While the London Underground is the oldest, having opened in 1863 as an underground railway and with an electrified underground line opened in 1890, other systems around the world have since surpassed it in size and scope.

For instance, the Shanghai Metro is the longest, boasting nearly a whopping 900 kilometers (around 560 miles) of railway. It is also the busiest underground system in the world. In 2019, the system reached a record-breaking 3.88 billion (yes, that’s ‘billion’ with a ‘b’) rides that year. And March 9, 2024, saw the biggest daily ridership record with 13.39 million rides. An average workday in Shanghai sees over 10 million rides on the Metro system.

CNN reports that Shanghai had plans to expand the system further to around 620 miles (or around 998 kilometers) by 2025.

China, as a whole, has the most metro systems on the planet as of 2024, with 54 of them operating. These include 11 of the 12 longest networks worldwide.

Meanwhile, the New York City Subway, one of the most well-known in popular culture, comes in with a jaw-dropping 472 stations.

Using the subway and other public modes of transportation, in general, can lead to some really bizarre experiences.

Broadly speaking, so many people use trains and buses that you naturally spot more odd outfits and behaviors. You run into more strangers on the subway platform and on the train than you would, say, at work or walking down a random street.

Subway stations are central hubs where people from all walks of life congregate. And everyone needs to commute one way or another. If you have a car, you might run into your fair share of road rage incidents or bad drivers, but you’re too focused on the road to notice random passersby.

If you’re riding a bike, similarly, you’re busy staying safe on the road. Meanwhile, on the subway, you have nothing but time to look around and notice all the other passengers.

Aside from people-watching, your morning and evening commutes are great opportunities to either unwind or catch up on a bit of work.

For example, you could take a few minutes to sort out your calendar, inbox, or personal to-do list so that you’re organized and ready to tackle whatever you need to do the next day or week.

Or you could take the time to catch up on the news, rehearse whatever presentation that’s been weighing on your mind and bugging you for ages, or do a few quick language lessons on your phone.

If you have the energy and focus for it, your commute can be a good use of your time instead of a ‘waste’ to get from point A to point B. However, you don’t feel like you absolutely must be productive during this time.

Alternatively, if you have a fairly long subway commute, you could always use this time as a way to intentionally detach yourself from work on your way home. In a way, you can use public transportation as a liminal space to relax and shift your mindset from business to relaxation.

Read a book for pleasure, laugh at some memes, text your friends, do a crossword puzzle, or watch a random video.

Or you can just zone out and meditate for a bit, enjoying the sights both outside the window and in the train car. Look, no matter how driven and ambitious you are, there are bound to be days when you need more downtime and rest. Nobody can be 100% effective 24/7.

A trip using public transportation and a (long) walk can help you disconnect from any anxieties you have at the office or at school. So, when you finally get back home, you’re less worried and can spend some quality time with your family or friends.

Before you start taking photos of random passersby and passengers, take a bit of time to get familiar with your local laws and culture. Make sure that wherever you are, you’re legally allowed to take photos of strangers.

Meanwhile, even if something is legal, it might still be frowned upon depending on the area and the people in question. It helps to be a bit more empathetic, flexible, and polite as a photographer, especially if you're new in town.

Usually, if someone is in a public place, they can be a part of your photos, but a good rule of thumb is still to consider asking for permission if they’re the main focus of your shot and if you'd like them to pose.

For example, there is a rather large difference between, say, a photo of a building with people milling around the entrance and an image where someone’s look and style are the entire point. As a photographer, you should think about taking the time to briefly talk to the person you’re photographing if you want a portrait. Usually, strangers are thrilled that you think they’re interesting enough to take a picture of!

Alternatively, if you want a more candid, honest, and 'raw' photo, there's merit to taking a photo without anyone knowing. A lot depends on your philosophy as a photographer.

Which of these photos piqued your interest the most? Which outfits did you think were the most stylish? Meanwhile, which behaviors would make you do a double-take if you saw it in real life?

Who are the weirdest people that you’ve seen riding the subway recently? Let us know! We’d love to hear your opinions and all about your public transportation adventures in the comments.

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