ADVERTISEMENT

I moved to New York almost a decade ago (from Los Angeles, and Detroit before that, and Kansas City before that). By that point in my life -- after moving around so much -- I found the best way to get to know my new hometown was through art and creativity.

While living in Los Angeles I discovered my passion for photography, so that was my favored way to familiarize myself with New York.

If you've never been to New York, its hallmarks are chaos and energy. It can be overwhelming when you first set foot onto the pavement of a Manhattan street. It was for me! There's intense sensory overload: visual advertisements are inescapable, street art and graffiti everywhere you look, smells and sounds blanketing the atmosphere, and, of course, people. An unbelievable deluge of strangers flooding every street, 24/ 7. It's an intensely surreal experience, experiencing the lifeblood of New York for the very first time.

I absolutely loved every second of it. But I wanted to filter the madness and confusion -- a great metaphor for life in general, I think -- into something more manageable. My attempts at doing just that -- taming the anarchy, capturing the surrealist essence of New York -- gradually crystallized into what is now my "Coincidences" project.

Even though I acclimated to New York years ago (and don't even skip a beat when a stranger bumps into me on the street or train) I continue to make photographs for "Coincidences." Part of the way along the journey of the project, I realized the pictures in this series give me a new appreciation for life itself. How uncanny that the disparate and unrelated elements in the photographs come together for a brief, miraculous moment to create something so beautiful!

Ultimately, "Coincidences" is my love letter to New York, and to the infinite number of magical, ephemeral and serendipitous moments that make it a city unlike any other.

More info: jonathanhigbee.com

#3

Amazing Candid Coincidences In Jonathan Higbee's New York Street Photography

Jonathan Higbee Report

Add photo comments
POST
sanchit-mit2006 avatar
Ladies and Gentlemen
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Took me at least 1 minute to understand, that its a balloon with a man in background holding a mobile.. definitely a very fine timed click!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#5

Amazing Candid Coincidences In Jonathan Higbee's New York Street Photography

Jonathan Higbee Report

Add photo comments
POST
sanchit-mit2006 avatar
Ladies and Gentlemen
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Next time tie the rope at your waist, you are losing too much hair this way!

View more commentsArrow down menu
#6

Amazing Candid Coincidences In Jonathan Higbee's New York Street Photography

Jonathan Higbee Report

Add photo comments
POST
somegeordielass avatar
Amelia-Jayne
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

YOU KNOW THAT FEELING WHEN YELLOW NOODLE SMOODLES COMING OUTTA YA BAG. That's a catchy phrase

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Amazing Candid Coincidences In Jonathan Higbee's New York Street Photography

Jonathan Higbee Report

Add photo comments
POST
cesi_baca avatar
Cesi Baca
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Think this one is staged. Too perfectly lined up and kind of an awkward way to read a book.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#15

Amazing Candid Coincidences In Jonathan Higbee's New York Street Photography

Jonathan Higbee Report

Add photo comments
POST
firebird_1 avatar
Fire Bird
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Interesting tree in the background. Seems to be on both sides of the fence.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#16

Amazing Candid Coincidences In Jonathan Higbee's New York Street Photography

Jonathan Higbee Report

Add photo comments
POST
sanchit-mit2006 avatar
Ladies and Gentlemen
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly, this would be reality of our world quite soon if we didn't stop generating too much waste very soon.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#18

Amazing Candid Coincidences In Jonathan Higbee's New York Street Photography

Jonathan Higbee Report

Add photo comments
POST
sanchit-mit2006 avatar
Ladies and Gentlemen
Community Member
6 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In India, people call this candy - "Old woman's Hair" ? What else its called in your country Bored pandas?

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

Amazing Candid Coincidences In Jonathan Higbee's New York Street Photography

Jonathan Higbee Report

Add photo comments
POST
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda