Life in an 'urban millennium'

Lyric Lewin, CNN

Updated 2048 GMT (0448 HKT) August 21, 2015

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For his "Urban Millenium" project, Dutch photographer Bas Losekoot brought cinematic lighting techniques to major cities such as Sao Paulo, Brazil, pictured here. "The street became a studio, and the people became the actors," he said.
Photos: A glance in the city
A glance in the city – For his "Urban Millenium" project, Dutch photographer Bas Losekoot brought cinematic lighting techniques to major cities such as Sao Paulo, Brazil, pictured here. "The street became a studio, and the people became the actors," he said.
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Losekoot is fascinated by human interactions in big cities. "What do these small gestures on the street tell us about the human condition?" he asked. "How do people feel and how do people respond to (each other)?"
Photos: A glance in the city
A glance in the city – Losekoot is fascinated by human interactions in big cities. "What do these small gestures on the street tell us about the human condition?" he asked. "How do people feel and how do people respond to (each other)?"
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The dramatic lighting makes for a very theatrical end product. Running late for the bus suddenly becomes an epic dash through dappled sunlight and illuminated sheet-metal buildings.
Photos: A glance in the city
A glance in the city – The dramatic lighting makes for a very theatrical end product. Running late for the bus suddenly becomes an epic dash through dappled sunlight and illuminated sheet-metal buildings.
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A woman checks her phone in New York. Losekoot has also visited Hong Kong; Seoul, South Korea; Mumbai, India; and London.
Photos: A glance in the city
A glance in the city – A woman checks her phone in New York. Losekoot has also visited Hong Kong; Seoul, South Korea; Mumbai, India; and London.
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Traversing the streets in Sao Paulo.
Photos: A glance in the city
A glance in the city – Traversing the streets in Sao Paulo.
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A man sips a boxed drink in Hong Kong.
Photos: A glance in the city
A glance in the city – A man sips a boxed drink in Hong Kong.
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Walking between buildings in Hong Kong.
Photos: A glance in the city
A glance in the city – Walking between buildings in Hong Kong.
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Shady sidewalks in New York.
Photos: A glance in the city
A glance in the city – Shady sidewalks in New York.
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A construction site in New York.
Photos: A glance in the city
A glance in the city – A construction site in New York.
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People walk in the streets of Sao Paulo. Losekoot is interested in people's interactions and "the mask that people are wearing on the streets."
Photos: A glance in the city
A glance in the city – People walk in the streets of Sao Paulo. Losekoot is interested in people's interactions and "the mask that people are wearing on the streets."
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A person appears as a silhouette in New York.
Photos: A glance in the city
A glance in the city – A person appears as a silhouette in New York.
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Story highlights

  • Photographer Bas Losekoot is fascinated by city life and its people
  • He took photos in major cities across the world to study how its residents interact
  • In 2007, a U.N. report said 3.3 billion people live in cities -- 3% of the world's surface

(CNN)Take one look at these images and you experience a range of city-life emotions.

You feel the noonday sun beating down on your back, surging waves of people on every side of you. You sip your overpriced beverage and stare into the distance for a reprieve from the crowds and from a morning spent on your feet.