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Loneliness is New York’s leitmotif. This feeling is palpable everywhere in New York City—a place filled with 8 million people, many of whom are immigrants and transplants. There are different shades of it: the loneliness of an Uber driver who fled Venezuela, leaving his family behind, who sighs with relief when I quickly switch to Spanish; the loneliness that emanates from the people I talk to on dating apps; the loneliness of the middle-aged Ukrainian woman at my local supermarket, who tells me in Russian that I remind her of her son, who she left behind in a war-torn country and who she hasn’t seen in two years.

Finally, the loneliness of someone who doesn’t believe in a god, someone who is slowly starting to come to terms with the fundamental randomness and uncertainty in our world. All of these real people exist on the margins of the fast-paced world that is New York.

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I moved to New York from Europe in 2014 after having been on the road for over a decade—I’d lived in six different countries, changing location every year. I came to New York in order to pursue a photography career. During a three-month-long visit to the city a few years ago, a street photography series was born that I felt I wanted to finish.

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    #2

    The Singular Loneliness Of New York City

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    Mj - MSP
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Solitude does not equal loneliness.

    Hippopotamuses
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Agree. Sometimes people simply wish to be alone

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    Kenny Kulbiski
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Looks more like he finally found a quiet spot to read the paper.

    Timothy Mathews
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Being around people doesn't always equal not being lonely. Sometimes people close to you make you feel more alone than when you're actually alone.

    Aunt Messy
    Community Member
    Premium
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lonely? He's reading a newspaper. That's not a group activity.

    Jaime Levy
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This man doesn't seem lonely at all... what was captured here is a man enjoying a nice quiet time!

    BobbyK
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know where this was taken... east 53rd street. I used to take lunch in there.

    Lily Yang
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pretty sure this is Bryant Park on 42nd.

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    Christopher Walkies
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    NONE of these photos portray actual loneliness. Many are far from it. Very nice pics though! Consider changing the headline.

    Joe D
    Community Member
    3 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Being alone does not necessarily mean being lonely

    Christine K
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have always hated seeing sights like this. Makes my heart so heavy.

    Lizard Queen
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why? You're assuming he does not wish to be alone. He might be happy for a quiet moment with his paper.

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    Kgaugelo Cha Gah
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    True sometimes you just have to be on your own

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    #3

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    People from all walks of life share the streets of Manhattan—this bizarre Tower of Babel is a true feast for photography art. And yet, it’s a constant struggle: one day, the city fascinates me. The next, I’ve had enough.

    #4

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    Stephanie A Mutti
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This could be an old-timey picture except for the plastic water bottle. What is this person even doing???

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    #5

    The Singular Loneliness Of New York City

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    Christine K
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This picture gave me a calming feeling though - like he's just savoring the silence and stillness.

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    There are so many crowds in New York, and there are also so many lonely people. This is not only because there are many of us here who are newcomers without family or friends nearby; the technology that has slowly taken over our lives, separating us from one another, also plays a part.

    #6

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    Sophia Cai
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's just a persistent guy, or one that doesn't want to lose to his friends :)

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    Ironically, despite New York’s density, it is not hard to feel alone. So many people here are focused on money or their careers. It often feels like no one has any energy left for emotional conversation, for relationships. Although it isn’t difficult to find company, many of the interactions we have with each other are empty and meaningless. It’s easy to be lonely and anonymous in a city like this. It’s easy to get lost.

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    #10

    The Singular Loneliness Of New York City

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    Nebraska King-Sky
    Community Member
    7 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is the only one that looks lonely to me. Being alone doesn't make one lonely. Loneliness can be experienced in a room full of people...even people you know. Personally, I enjoy quiet, contemplative time to myself.

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    Caro Caro
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I love this photo. It has a certain vibe ... I can't explain it.

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    Christine K
    Community Member
    7 years ago

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    This one isn't lonely for me - I just think that she's rushing home to make dinner :D

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