Photographer Judith Shieh Krasinski is the Edge of Humanity Magazine contributor of this photo essay. To see Judith ’s body of work, click on any photograph.

Pick a city – any city – and you might just be surprised if you attempt to take a photo.

There’s a delightful alchemy that arises from all the abundant glass and steel; from the light that’s equal parts artificial and manmade. We may approach a scene with a final result in mind, only to discover that we’ve photographed the unexpected. Were those reflections of passing pedestrians – or were they ghosts? Eye to the viewfinder, we don’t always see what’s directly in front of us: scratches and smudges of grease on the surface of glass, cars that zoom by. Only later might we appreciate the dynamism and dimension that these details add. We’ll respond viscerally to their textures, perhaps even feel a tinge of discomfort. And what of all the windows that frame our subjects and direct our eyes toward the human stories within? In the split second in which we raise our cameras on instinct, we may not fully register the narratives before us. But make no mistake; our cameras have noticed.

This series of photos spotlights my enchantment with the power of glass and light. Shot primarily in Philadelphia and New York City, these images represent moments in which my camera captured far more than I anticipated. Beyond that, they’re reminders for me to look harder with my two eyes because, truly, the everyday world is full of unexpected wonders.

Artist’s Statement

Walk through any public space full of people and look carefully.

Be still.  Wait.

You might just see God.

As a street photographer, I’m convinced that I have.  He reveals his presence in the bold colors that sing for joy in the harsh noon light.  I glimpse his glory in the strangers that I pass, in the intriguing variety of their expressions, the textures of their clothes, the movement of their bodies.  I behold his grandeur in the bold geometry of urban architecture and all the different ways that light plays off expanses of glass and steel.

I don’t believe the existence of these elements is by happenstance, nor is our universal appreciation for visual motifs coincidental.  Over time, I’ve grown convinced that they’re evidence of a divine Creator who, though the world often feels chaotic and broken, has not abandoned us.  As I wander the streets of Philadelphia, New York City, or even my local shopping plaza, I’m constantly reminded of this reality.  If I look hard enough, I can discern a gracious harmony, an uncanny sense of order.  All is not lost.

Thus, I shoot with the admiring eye of someone who’s fascinated by her subjects and their surroundings. I’m moved by scenes that capture humor, tension, and beauty, especially of the jolie-laide sort.  These moments are so rich with life, but they never last long.  With the press of the shutter button, I aspire to stop time so I can memorialize these everyday miracles.  As a photographer, it is my hope and my privilege to bear witness to them.

All images and text © Judith Shieh Krasinski