This work investigates the lives and identities of individuals inhabiting the fringes of urban society through the medium of candid photography. Janet Beller, a professional photographer, utilizes a collection of over fifty portraits to document the diverse personas found within city streets. The book argues that these individuals—ranging from buskers to peddlers—constitute a distinct and vibrant subculture that is often overlooked in mainstream urban discourse.

Critics and readers frequently note the book's effectiveness in humanizing its subjects through intimate portraiture. Experts highlight this as a significant visual record of urban life during the period of its publication.