Our lives, particularly within the urban environment, are governed by light; half natural, half artificial. Light is enticing; promising excitement, safety, community.

Light is also the most basic medium for all visual artists, the waves without which we couldn’t experience their work. Whilst sculpture, film and even some aspects of painting can be experienced without sight, photography is entirely dependent on it.

The interesting qualities of light have always fascinated artists as this extraordinary series of shots by Stephen Wilkes attests.

Shot at both night and day, the images have been digitally manipulated to combine different times, creating a remarkable sense of distance verging on the voyeuristic. They are most reminiscent of photographs taken of the earth from orbit, showing the edge of the day, and highlight the remarkable change that occurs throughout a 24 hour period.

Coney Island

Washington Square Park, NYC

The Flatiron, NYC

Gramercy Park, NYC

NYC Library, NYC

The Highline, NYC

Times Square, NYC

Bethesda Fountain, Central Park

Park Avenue, NYC

Shanghai, China

Central Park, NYC

Times Square, New Year's Eve, NYC

When do you enjoy the city most, night or day? When's the best time for photography? Let us know what you think in the comments.