HONY – The Book

You might have heard about this blog, created by Brandon Stanton in 2010 – a former bond trader from Chicago, who picked up a camera full-time after losing his job during the economic downturn. What started out as a personal passion has turned into a Facebook following of over 1.5 million viewers (and even more on Tumblr) with an end resulting in a coffee table book, printed by St. Martin’s Press (the publisher that believed in the project the most) which is being sold in stores today.

Watch this short piece that aired on Nightline for a full story of  it’s creator. I find it amazing how big ideas gain steam so quickly.

I love an art project. I especially love an art project about people – my favourite subject after sex and in this case, especially because it’s inception seems so pure – it was borne of Stanton’s love of photography. The vignettes he creates through the questions he asks his subjects as he walks around New York every single day, are what make this project really sing. I’ve always been amazed at what one stranger will tell another. And two out of three strangers he approaches will allow themselves to be photographed and interviewed. In a city so enormous, the images help cut it down in size – it makes strangers feel less… strange. Everyone’s got a story. All of us are human. These are the Humans Of New York.

I pre-ordered a few copies during the advance sale, and I’m so very glad I did. I saved opening one for the eve of the mass-release. I wasn’t disappointed at all – Martin and I sat head to head, sometimes laughing, sometimes nodding, sometimes with teary eyes… Go and pick up a copy of Humans Of New York. It’s a truly delicious bit of eye-candy, and it’s good for the soul.

And it’s hardcover, too. Your coffee table will thank you, I promise!!