The tragic events of 9/11 still haunt people to this day, so it is only natural that tourists and locals who take the time to visit ground zero as well as the construction site for the new One World Trade Center are overcome with emotion, which the photo series titled Looking On by Keith Goldstein captures. The photographer snaps candid shots of these unguarded expressions, showing how people from different walks of life are joined by such significant events.
Looking On by Keith Goldstein was created almost on a whim as he began to shoot photos during his lunch hour. Goldstein tells Fast Co. Design, "My intention was to capture a thought-provoking collection of expressions, emotions, and the diverse ethnic make-up of the visitors, to see how they reacted to what they were seeing--a place where people perished and a new place that was being rebuilt out of the ruins.”
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Emotional Tourism
- Capturing the emotional impact of tragic landmarks through photography can create a new market for tourism experiences that focus on empathy and reflection.
- Documenting Diversity
- Photographing tourists from different backgrounds and capturing their reactions to significant events can highlight the diverse ethnic makeup of visitors and promote inclusivity in tourism.
- Unexpected Artistry
- Creating photo series spontaneously during lunch breaks showcases the potential for artistic expression in everyday moments and encourages creativity in unexpected places.
Where This Applies
- Tourism
- The emotional impact of tragic landmarks can be harnessed to create unique tourism experiences that focus on empathy, reflection, and historical education.
- Photography
- Documenting the diverse reactions and expressions of tourists through photography opens up new opportunities for the art form to capture authentic and meaningful moments in public spaces.
- Arts and Culture
- Exploring the potential of spontaneous photo series created during breaks demonstrates the innovation and creativity that can be found in everyday life, presenting opportunities for new forms of artistic expression and connection.
