These photos were taken in April 2009 during a National Geographic workshop with the photographer Joe McNally in New York city.

For several years I've wanted to do street photography but I've never had the courage. The dense population of New York, it's diverse population and, perhaps, being completely anonymous provided the perfect opportunity. I felt an incredible freedom.

New York is one of the worlds best examples of a successful racially integrated city. It is unique because of its' citizenry. New Yorkers were changed by 9/11. They bonded. They look out for one another. They're open to strangers. In just one day I had long conversations with a rabbi, a rapper, a homeless man and a policeman from Jamaica.

There's an unbeatable vibrancy to New York from downtown to uptown. Everything is possible. Yet, in the midst of boundlless activity, one can find a moment of calm sitting in a park watching life pass by or standing in the middle of a bridge marveling at the skyline while listening to the quiet hum of the city as the evening begins.



Lee Flynn