Photographic Research and Inquiry

     

(Baker, 2013)

     Most individuals are familiar with the class, black and white photograph of the group of male workers, sitting high above the New York City skyline on an extended metal girder, preparing themselves for a short lunch break before they return to work. Before a time where safety harnesses were provided, men risked their lives for extra pay and worked on the quickly growing buildings. However, this iconic photograph is not the only representation of men at work on such buildings. In the depicted photograph below, which not only lacks a name but the photographer remains unknown as well, it shows a lone worker, sitting on the very edge of the growing tower while the Chrysler building sits beyond in the distance. 
     On first glance, a viewer undoubtedly feels their own nerves about the situation, as the man rests on his knee and allows his other leg to dangle free, over the side of the edge. The sheer height is demonstrated by the dwarfing of the Chrysler building in the background, with the Brooklyn Bridge further off in the distance and the rest of New York seemingly miles upon miles away. After inspecting the image for just a little longer, the viewer might then start to wonder how the photographer captured the image. The picture seems to extend out, beyond where the currently metal construction lays, as if to suggest the photographer is floating above air or found a way to capture the image before falling. 
     Outside of the seemingly death defying balancing act of both the worker and the photographer, the contrast of the image starts to beckon. The construction worker, along with the metal frame on the left, are exposed properly, with a heavy level of contrast, especially when looking at the white (or at least light) gloves of the worker as he tightens bolts on the metal frame. A viewer can see his weather expression, as most likely he has performed the same task countless times over and the height no longer worries him. Construction workers often stayed away from other individuals while on the building, as not only did they fear becoming emotionally close to someone before they fell, but simply standing near someone would possess a physical risk at a loose steeping individual grabbing onto their hand, should they fall from their perch. Due to this, the individual most likely has been there for long enough to understand he is better off on his own (DailyMail, 2012). 
     The background is heavily overexposed, with a good amount of the background-bleached white. Most likely this is from either an extremely sunny day, or the individual working found himself in shadow, although judging by the brightness of the metal around him, chances are the day simply was sunny. On another glance, perhaps the worker is squinting at his bolts while tightening the material together. 
     The image speaks directly to me as very few of us actually look at these older skyscrapers and tall buildings and really think at what it took to originally build these constructions. Nowadays, with modern technology, doing so is far easier and safer (although there are still inherent dangers). Just seeing such a photograph is a reminder of what it truly took to produce such a long standing work of art.

Works Cited

Baker, Wayne. “Second Acts: Are we caught between past and present?” Read the Spirit: Our 
                  Values.2013. Web. Retrieved November 11, 2013 from http://www.readthespirit.com/ourvalues/second-acts-are-we-caught-between-past-and-present/.

DailyMail. “Building the Bigt Apple: Historic images show construction of New York’s most famous
                  skyscrapers.” Daily Mail. December 4, 2012. Print.
 

Assignment #4

Speed Limit

Late!

Pool