New York Islanders' Matt Martin (17) and Pittsburgh Penguins' Zach Aston-Reese (12) fight during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, May 18, 2021. Both players received a two-minute minor penalty. (Photo by Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)

In this picture taken on June 24, 2017 participants take part in the “Women's Beautiful Buttock series” contest shopping mall in Shenyang, Liaoning province. Ladies from different parts of China gathered in Shenyang to show off their perfect curves during the competition. While it is unclear who ended up taking home 1st place, it looks like everyone had a good time regardless of whether or not they won the title. In November 2016, Brazil held a similar competition, Miss BumBum, which was attended by more than 10 million people. Erika Canela, a 24-year-old beauty from Bahia won the main title of the contest. (Photo by AFP Photo/Stringer)

A unidentified woman protests at Broad Street for the pending arrival of Vice President Mike Pence at the Union League, in Philadelphia, Monday, July 23, 2018. Dozens of demonstrators dressed as characters from the novel-turned-TV series “The Handmaid's Tale” descended on downtown Philadelphia to protest Pence’s visit. (Photo by Jose F. Moreno/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP Photo)

In this November 3, 2015 file photo, Afghan Taliban fighters listen to Mullah Mohammed Rasool, the newly-elected leader of a breakaway faction of the Taliban, in Farah province, Afghanistan. Despite US President Donald Trump’s pronouncement that there would be no talks with the Taliban following a series of deadly attacks in Kabul, officials say talks continue, but neither side trusts the other and neither believes the other negotiates independently. (Photo by AP Photo/Stringer)

A woman poses by “Leaf Spirit” by Simon Gudgeon at the FORM 24 show at Sculpture by the Lakes, on April 02, 2024 in Dorchester, England. The award-winning sculpture show runs from April 2 to June 1, with works by more than 35 leading contemporary sculptors exhibited throughout 26-acres of lakes, rivers, gardens, and woodlands as well as in the Gallery and The Retreat. FORM includes a series of talks and events to accompany the exhibition, including “Meet the Artist” Q&A sessions with exhibiting sculptors, workshops and demonstrations. (Photo by Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images)

Fascinated by the texture and color of water artist Elizabeth Patterson challenged herself to recreate the absurdly complex formation of water droplets on rain-streaked windshields. Her ongoing series titled Rainscapes blends drawing, hyperrealism, and traditional landscape techniques resulting in images that can be seen as both real and abstract.

New York City is populated with millions of people that each serve as an essential piece of the city's eclectic pie. The Big Apple's offering of unique and diverse individuals is arguably unmatched. We always hear about what a melting pot this immense metropolis is with its endless supply of quirky characters and the ongoing photo series known as Humans of New York proves it.

Kirsty Mitchell is a former fashion designer who worked under both Alexander McQueen and Hussein Chalayan as a student. However, she found her ultimate calling in photography. Her imaginative series 'Wonderland' takes you to alternate worlds where umbrellas drip with lavenders, backs sprout wings and limbs get lost in tree branches