Homeless Man Reading Bible New York City | Wall Art

Bible in Hand: A Homeless Man's Solitude in NYC

As a fervent devotee of urban street photography, I often find myself capturing moments of the human condition, and this particular shot was no exception. I generally steer clear of photographing people experiencing homelessness. However, this man touched a poignant chord.

Amid the bustling city under one of New York's countless bridges, a man, homeless, engrossed in the pages of a bible, caught my eye. We exchanged words, his demeanor noticeably muddled - a heartbreaking testament to his physical health. His feet, bare and weathered, evoked a profound sense of disquiet within me.

During my tri-day sojourn to the Big Apple, I traveled over 85 kilometers on foot, aiming to photograph the deserted hospital on Ellis Island alongside Joe McNally. The city's streets became my canvas, portraying many faces, stories, and shared meals with those less fortunate. A striking revelation was the overwhelming number of homeless individuals battling for basic sustenance and shelter.

New York's homeless population is alarmingly high, echoing the grim times of the Great Depression. As per a source, as of November 2019, there were an estimated 63,092 homeless individuals, including 14,973 families with 22,258 children, seeking refuge in the American city's shelters at night. 

In a city that never stops moving, moments like this often go unseen. This wall art print captures a man sitting alone on a New York sidewalk, legs crossed, back against a stone wall, deeply focused on reading a worn Bible. There’s no drama here—just stillness and intention. His belongings are gathered beside him, neatly packed. The world rushes by, but for him, the moment is quiet and personal.

What struck me most wasn’t the subject, but the posture—calm, grounded, self-contained. Light cuts across the pavement, pulling out textures in the concrete and folds in his coat. The frame is tight, the perspective honest. It’s not posed. It’s not performed. It’s just real.

This image isn’t about making a statement—it’s about observation. A quiet act of dignity and routine in a place that rarely allows either. As wall art, it carries weight. It invites reflection. It doesn’t shout for attention but holds it.

Ideal for personal spaces—offices, studies, creative studios—this print speaks to those who value story, complexity, and empathy over decoration. It’s a piece that invites conversation without offering easy conclusions.

This is real photography, captured as seen. No staging. No direction. Printed by hand in my studio, and signed individually. Part of my Photography Homeless Portraits Collection, where every image is a document of human presence, not performance.

© Dan Kosmayer, 2019