History of Photography. Lewis Hine, Steelworkers, Empire State Building, New York, 1931 - Essay Example

In this essay I will focus on Lewis Hines photographs of men working on top of the Empire State Building skyscraper, which were taken in different years of its construction. I will try to compare the well-known Hines photograph titled as Steelworkers, which he took in 1931, with a number of other similar photographs taken by Lewis Hines atop of the Empire State Building in 1930s. Lewis Hines breathtaking photograph titled as Steelworkers,1 which he took on top of the Empire State Building in 1931, became a hymn to work and splendor of a great deed that a man could do to achieve the goal, no matter how incredible it might seem from the beginning.

This amazing image shows two steelworkers on top of the skyscraper and makes one wonder how it is possible at all to work at such height without suffering vertigo. One can see a part of Manhattan on the background; the rest of the buildings down below seem so small comparing to the work place of these two brave men on top of the skyscraper that the image of them doing their ordinary work inspires admiration with courage and self mastery of these steelworkers sitting atop of one of the highest buildings in New York City.

This photograph is a manifest of the fortitude of a man and incredible ability to overcome difficulties and dangers, although the scene of men at such height risking their lives to get the work done inspires with awe. While one of the steelworkers is sitting on the beam holding the screw-bolt, another worker is using the electrical screw-driving machine to screw the bolt into the beam until tight. It is amazing how these men sacrifice their safety and risk their lives to erect the construction, where people would feel themselves perfectly safe one day.

The calmness of these two men is an art itself. Both of them smile knowing that Hines is taking a photo of their work, but dont look at the camera as they are