Helen Rosner writes about “Subway Hands,” a photography series by Hannah La Follette Ryan that documents the hands of New York City subway riders, and what the photos say about hygiene and shared public space in the midst of the coronavirus.

In the days leading up to lockdown, she saw a lot of “hand sanitiser, disaster shopping and anxiety. When I took these photos, the public didn’t have much infor

@subwayhands tells touching stories of bravery, human kindness, pride, and resilience, through close-up photographs of hands. It all started when founder hannah lafolletteryan first moved to New York in 2015: “I spent a lot of time people watching on the train and I noticed how expressive the strang

Photographer Hannah La Follette Ryan captures commuters in the run-up to lockdown

Photographer Hannah La Follette Ryan captures commuters in the run-up to lockdown

There is much to be photographed on the New York City subway, but for Hannah La Follette Ryan the most photogenic aspect is straphangers' hands.

There is much to be photographed on the New York City subway, but for Hannah La Follette Ryan the most photogenic aspect is straphangers' hands.

There is much to be photographed on the New York City subway, but for Hannah La Follette Ryan the most photogenic aspect is straphangers' hands.

"Eating on the subway requires a blend of self-sufficiency and shamelessness that I truly respect."

i'M STILL A TEEN AGER Valentino, Italy