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From plastic surgery nobility to zombie-like tourists: The eccentric characters of NYC

In his ongoing observation of the unusual characters found wandering between 57th Street and 5th Avenue, New York street photographer Daniel Featherstone takes photographs that are poignant, funny and reflective of a crowded city that continues to fascinate the entire world.

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Via direct submission. All images copyright of Daniel Featherstone

Via direct submission. All images copyright of Daniel Featherstone

From the obviously 'tweaked' faces and eccentric clothing, to the poodles, drama and charm – Featherstone loves to capture locals and tourists alike, amongst the surrounding architecture that makes the Big Apple so distinctive and instantly recognisable.

Speaking of his work, he told Creative Boom: "I was originally born in England where I was a graffiti writer in the late eighties. I moved to the states about 23 years ago. I worked as a graphic designer and moved to New York in 2001 where I was an art director for Ralph Lauren for 12 years. Their headquarters was just around the corner from the famous intersection of 57th and 5th Avenue.

"It wasn't until last year that I began to shoot portraits in that area. Such a mix of transient diversity from the plastic surgery nobility to paraplegics to overwhelmed, zombie-like tourists. Every person I shoot is never staged, they are completely candid, I wouldn't have it any other way. The naturalness is what gives us all this common thread of knowing."

Featherstone is now an artist and designer/consultant for Nautica, of which its headquarters are just around the corner from 57th and 5th Avenue. He loves to use his lunch break to take more pictures of people frequenting there. He added: "It feels like my calling, for now."

He's also a teacher at Parsons School of Design in New York City, where he teaches a course called Available Light Photography and Graphic Design Portfolio. Discover more on Instagram.

Woman in dark coat and tilted black hat with red lipstick stands on a busy Manhattan street surrounded by blurred pedestrians and tall buildings
Elderly man in pinstripe suit with white hair and glasses stands at a New York street corner holding a cane, with yellow taxis and tall buildings visible behind him
Elderly woman wearing a stacked headpiece with gold fabric, a patterned brown band and shell-like decoration, alongside a furry grey and white collar, photographed on a city street
Elderly man in glasses and brown fur coat adjusting his spectacles on a busy Manhattan street lined with tall buildings
Older man in dark coat and flat cap holds a black briefcase while standing on a busy New York street lined with tall buildings and traffic
Person with orange bob hair and dark sunglasses in profile, wearing a white shirt with yellow lemon print pattern against a white brick wall
Blonde woman wearing a grey fur stole and pearl necklace with a composed expression against a blurred urban background
Woman in yellow dress holding pink polka dot umbrella stands on rainy New York street with luggage and pedestrians behind her
Person sleeping against a storefront window on 57th Street, wrapped in blankets and surrounded by belongings, with a mannequin in an orange dress displayed in the shop window behind them
Man in dark leather jacket with hand to face stands behind an arched window with cascading water and glowing figure visible behind glass
Portrait of a woman with grey wavy hair and glasses shown in profile against a dark background, wearing a dark blue jacket
Woman in a cream coat and wide-brimmed hat with sunglasses walks past luxury storefronts on 57th Street in Manhattan
Elderly woman with white hair wearing oversized orange-framed sunglasses and a bright orange jacket against a blurred urban background
Woman with white hair wearing dark sunglasses and black coat smiles at camera on New York street with decorated storefront behind her
A young child in a silver puffy jacket and grey beanie sits on an adult's shoulders as they stand amongst yellow taxis and tall buildings on a busy New York City street
Elderly woman in studded black beanie, oversized sunglasses and dark velvet jacket stands against marble wall numbered 744
Woman with long black wavy hair wearing a textured brown fur coat, positioned in front of a classical stone building facade with dark windows and ornate architectural details
Person in burgundy jacket and cap walks small dog across New York City street crosswalk lined with tall buildings and yellow taxis
Elderly woman with white hair wearing a patterned jacket over black clothing and a beaded necklace, standing on a New York street lined with parked cars and buildings
Young child wearing a black coat with patterned trim and hood sits on an adult's shoulders against a blurred backdrop of tall city buildings
Woman in pink coat and hat riding a small folding bicycle past a delivery truck on a New York City street
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