Urban explorer Steve Duncan prides himself on looking at cities from a very unique perspective.

Working as an urban historian and photographer – a seemingly unusual career mix - Duncan not only has a keen interest and expert knowledge of cities’ infrastructure but a great eye for aesthetics.

a tale of two cities

Exploring from above

The result is A Tale Of Two Cities, a series of incredible images that charter the hidden world of New York and London that we take for granted.

“I try to peel back the layers of a city to see what’s underneath,” Duncan explains. “From the tops of bridges to the depths of sewer tunnels, these explorations of the urban environment help me puzzle together the interconnected, multi-dimensional history and complexity of the great metropolises of the world.”

Duncan’s projects first began when he moved to New York as a student. He admits that when starting out he would often access the areas illegally, although nowadays he Is experienced and successful enough to gain permission.

a tale of two cities

Steve Duncan in action

Wandering slightly off the beaten track, he became amazed at how different the world was that he discovered.

Although most of his work takes place in New York, the US photographer became fascinated with London because of it’s vast history and set up a project there.

“The beautiful brick tunnels under London are much older than the tunnels under NYC,” he said. “London had many smaller rivers flowing into the Thames. Those rivers were part of why the city developed historically at that location. Over time they were hidden underground in tunnels and became important parts of the sewer system that the city constructed in the nineteenth century.

Duncan also takes groups on tours around cities. See his site for details.

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  • A groundsman paints the court lines during a practice session ahead of the 2012 London Olympic Games at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon on July 24, 2012 in London, England. (Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

  • A seal pup grins over the shoulder of photographer Alex Mustard as he takes a self-portrait off the Northumberland coast. (Photo credit: Alex Mustard / Barcroft Media)

  • A woman leans into the mouth of a plastic shark to kiss her child at the COEX Aquarium in Seoul, South Korea Tuesday, July 24, 2012. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Hye Soo Nah)

  • View of the third excavation of a grave inside the medieval Convent of Saint Ursula in Florence on July 17, 2012, during research focusing on the burial site of Lisa Gherardini, wife of the wealthy Florentine silk merchant Francesco del Giocondo, the model who inspired Leonardo da Vinci's painting "The Mona Lisa". (Photo credit: ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/GettyImages)

  • A Buddhist monk raised his hand written with the message "ROHINGYA NO" to protest against the ethnic minority group in Myanmar during a visit of Myanmar's President Thein Sein in Bangkok, Thailand Tuesday July 24, 2012. The group had suffered communal violence in western Myanmar, in which Muslim Rohingyas were killed, rape and physically abused. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

  • A Labrador Golden Retriever gets a shower at Germany's first Dog Wash in Duisburg, Germany, Tuesday, July 24, 2012. The dog wash, which was installed in a pet store and runs as self service, delivers a shower, shampoo and a hair dry. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

  • Messages are written on the Olympic truce Wall at the Athletes' Village at the Olympic Park, Tuesday, July 24, 2012, in London. Opening ceremonies for the 2012 London Olympics will be held Friday, July 27. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

  • A journalist film a Z-9WZ attack helicopter designed and manufactured by China demonstrating flying skill during a media visit at the military base of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Army Aviation 4th Helicopter Regiment, ahead of Army Day on Aug. 1, on the outskirts of Beijing, China Tuesday, July 24, 2012. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Andy Wong)

  • A Chinese soldier are reflected on a window glass as he stands guard during a media visit at the military base of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Army Aviation 4th Helicopter Regiment, ahead of Army Day on Aug. 1, on the outskirts of Beijing, China Tuesday, July 24, 2012. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Andy Wong)

  • President Barack Obama gestures at a campaign stop in Oakland, California. (Photo credit: AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

  • An athlete practices during a diving training session ahead of the London Olympic Games at the Aquatics Centre in Olympic Park on July 24, 2012 in London, England. (Photo credit: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

  • Nick Ormerod of Australia competes in the 2012 Shark Island Challenge at Shark Island, near Cronulla on July 24, 2012 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo credit: Matt King/Getty Images)