In this photo, a lady with tattooed arms crosses the zebra crossing in Manhattan, at the exact moment when the city is making its typical rhythm felt. Her white T-shirt, with New York City writ large on it, almost seems to echo her own look: powerful, raw and unmistakably connected to the city. The tattoos on her arms tell their own story - personal, independent and full of character - and provide an intriguing contrast to the clean lines of the zebra crossing and the urban backdrop.
As she crosses the street, the light catches her just right, as if the city is spotlighting her for a moment. She seems completely absorbed in the moment, in the pace of Manhattan, in the obvious freedom that makes New York so recognisable.
This image captures not only a passing fragment, but also the essence of the modern New Yorker: a mix of individuality, expression and a sense of belonging in the constant hubbub. The photograph invites the viewer to see how identity and city influence each other - how people shape New York, and how New York shapes them.
Sjoerd Lammers
The Netherlands
Olympus OM-D + iPhone/Hipstamatic
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