# Desolate Metropolitan Photography John Short Captures Eerily Empty New York City Spots By Christopher Magsambol | Published 2015-10-01 | World Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/john-short References: [fubiz.net](http://www.fubiz.net/en/2015/09/28/empty-pieces-of-new-york/?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=webfeeds) & [johnshort](http://www.johnshort.com/) Photographer John Short has made a career out of capturing [photographs of eerily empty spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/still-life-1). The images above were taken from Short's [book titled 'Unforgotten New York](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/studio-54) – Legendary Spaces of the Twentieth-Century Avant-Garde,' many of which feature former pubic gathering spots that are now unused. It is rare to see New York City photographed in such as a bleak and dreary light, but in doing so, Short provides a stark contrast to the bright lights and busy streets that are typically associated with the Big Apple. The empty spaces photographed vary from [abandoned theaters to gymnasiums and bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/william-vale-hotel). These once heavily visited areas are now dark desolate spaces with no purpose. In creating this collection, John Short provides alternate representations of the otherwise glamorous city. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.5/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 33% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [World](https://www.trendhunter.com/world) > [Regional](https://www.trendhunter.com/regional) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Eerily Empty Spaces:** Capturing photographs of desolate metropolitan areas presents opportunities for documenting urban decay and exploring the concept of forgotten spaces. - **Alternative Representations:** Presenting alternate, less glamorous portrayals of well-known cities offers opportunities for challenging established perceptions and engaging audiences with thought-provoking imagery. - **Bleak and Dreary Aesthetic:** Adopting a bleak and dreary aesthetic in urban photography creates opportunities for conveying a sense of emptiness and solitude in bustling cityscapes. ### Who This Affects Most - **Photography:** Exploring new approaches to urban photography that focus on capturing desolation and forgotten spaces offers emerging opportunities for photographers to create captivating and unique images. - **Urban Planning:** Examining abandoned and underutilized public spaces in cities presents opportunities for urban planners to repurpose and revitalize these areas to benefit local communities. - **Art and Culture:** Utilizing alternative representations of well-known cities in artistic mediums provides opportunities for artists and cultural institutions to challenge conventional narratives and evoke contemplation. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Digital City-Inspired Art Works](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grand-central-station.md) - [Dramatic Doomsday Bunker Images](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alastair-philip-wiper.md) - [Painting-Immersive Photo Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-ground-exhibition.md) - [British Youth-Culture Photography Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/home-and-away.md) - [Blurry Abstract Photography Exhibits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/optical-allusion.md) - [Miniature Artful Hip-Hop Landmarks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/danny-cortes.md) - [Hipster Era Photography Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-cobrasnake-y2ks-archive.md) - [Personal Nostalgic Photo Books](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/holy-ohio.md) - [Laser-Cut Urban Artistry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/laser-cut-city-maps.md)