From Tourist to Storyteller: Passive Gazing to Active Souvenir
Creation Through Photography in New York City
April 11, 2025• views
Introduction
This photo essay challenges the notion that tourism
photography is merely “for fun.” Instead, it argues that
photography empowers individuals to create idealized images,
shaping both personal and collective narratives.
Figure 2.1: On the 4th of July, our class gathered to witness the Macy's 4th of July fireworks display in New York City, each of us with either a camera or phone in hand. This moment captures not only the anticipation and excitement of the event but also the act of collectively experiencing and documenting a shared memory. Figure 2.2: A sharing of photos between friends.
Traditional Theories of Tourism Photography
An overview of early critiques by scholars like Sontag and
Urry, who described photography as a distancing tool, where
tourists become mere spectators detached from the true
essence of a place.
Figure 3.1: Tourists flock to iconic landmarks like the Statue of Liberty, often driven by the desire to capture the popular attractions as if checking items off a list. The act of photographing these famous sights becomes a ritual, transforming personal experiences into visual trophies. In doing so, the original essence of these places can become overshadowed by the pursuit of familiarity—a testament to the power of well-known symbols in the landscape of global tourism. Figure 3.2: The Manhattan Bridge, connects Brooklyn and Manhattan, framing the iconic New York skyline. This bridge is a favorite subject for countless photographers and tourists alike Figure 3.3: Visitors flock to this iconic spot in Dumbo, Brooklyn, with the Manhattan Bridge as the backdrop, drawn as much by its popularity as by the view itself. This location has become a "must-see" for tourists, where capturing a photo is almost a rite of passage—turning an ordinary street corner into an essential New York experience. Figure 3.4: The Charging Bull statue in Lower Manhattan is a popular tourist attraction, drawing visitors from around the world. This iconic bronze sculpture has become a symbol of financial prosperity and a must-see for tourists seeking to capture a piece of Wall Street's history.
Photography as a Modern Souvenir
How modern perspectives view photography as an active and
personal process, empowering individuals to curate unique
souvenirs that reflect their personal engagement with the
environment.
Figure 4.1: Long before we could capture our own memories on a smartphone, postcards like this offered travelers a tangible way to bring a piece of a city’s charm back home. Each postcard was a carefully crafted snapshot, a glimpse into iconic moments and places, preserving the essence of destinations like New York City’s Central Park for those who wished to carry its beauty with them. Figure 4.2: Capturing memories together is one of the most cherished aspects of travel. Moments like this, standing side by side in front of iconic landmarks, become timeless souvenirs of shared experiences. In a world where photography is instantly accessible, we no longer rely on postcards alone. Instead, each photo we take with friends turns into a personal keepsake that brings us back to these joyful, fleeting moments, solidifying them as part of our story. Figure 4.3: Tourists from around the world gather to capture their experience with the iconic Statue of Liberty in the background. In an age where smartphones make photography instant and accessible, each person frames their own unique view, creating a personal memory of their journey. Figure 4.4: A student takes a photo of a painting in the Museum of Modern Art, capturing a moment of artistic inspiration. Why would someone take a photo of a painting when they could simply find it online? Perhaps it is the act of capturing a personal connection to the artwork, turning a museum visit into a unique, individual experience.
Observations from New York City
Real-life observations, including experiences like
Manhattanhenge and spontaneous group photos, illustrating
how photography can capture shared memories and foster
connections rather than mere documentation.
Figure 5.1: Manhattanhenge is a biannual event where the setting sun aligns perfectly with the east-west streets of Manhattan, creating a stunning visual spectacle. Tourists and locals alike gather to capture this unique moment, turning photography into a communal experience. Figure 5.2: As early as 1.5 hours before sunset, people from all walks of life, including locals, out-of-state visitors, and exchange students from China, gather on the streets of New York for the perfect view of Manhattanhenge. United by the desire to witness this unique phenomenon, the crowd prepares to capture the fleeting moment when the sun aligns perfectly with the city's grid, turning an ordinary evening into a shared, iconic experience. Figure 5.3: Jockeying for position with other photographers who also came for the event, most of which who were from out of town. Figure 5.4: 42nd Street from the Tudor City Overpass, a popular spot for photographers to capture Manhattanhenge. Figure 5.5: The sun sets over the New York City skyline, aligning with the 42nd street. Figure 5.6: "Oh, you all are so matching! Let me take a photo of you!" as pointed out by Kimberly as she noticed the unplanned coordination among her classmates, all dressed in shades of brown. "Omg, wow, I didn’t even realize," laughed one of them. This unexpected alignment turned an ordinary street encounter into a memorable photographic opportunity, capturing the joy of shared humor and spontaneous connections. A simple photo, born out of coincidence, transformed into a keepsake of their shared experience, showing how photography can preserve the unique bonds within a group. Figure 5.7: Captured on a physical Polaroid, this playful moment shows tourists reenacting the iconic Titanic pose while on a ferry to Staten Island. This photograph transforms an ordinary ferry ride into a memorable, shared experience, where the act of imitation becomes a treasured souvenir.
Beyond Commodification: Photography as a Tool for Connection
and Memory
Examining how photography can transcend the commodification
of tourist experiences by focusing on personal memories and
meaningful interactions with people and places.
Figure 6.1: On a sunny day in Brooklyn, three participants pause during a photowalk to chat and share stories. Photowalks offer not only an opportunity to capture the city through a lens but also a chance to connect with fellow photographers, blending creativity with community. This moment captures the essence of photowalks—where the journey and the connections made are just as important as the photographs taken. Figure 6.2: Organized by @nycphotostroll, this bi-weekly photowalk brought together photographers from across the city for a journey through Prospect Heights, Brooklyn. These events, held every two weeks, offer a space for New York's photography community to come together to explore neighborhoods, share insights, and capture the city's unique character through their lenses. Figure 6.3: Coney Island Figure 6.4: A student captures the bustling shoreline of Coney Island, framing the lively beach scene in a personal memento. Figure 6.5: In a playful twist, my friends staged this shot as a parody of my photo essay project, mocking my efforts to document our experiences together. While setting up the shot, they poked fun at me for making a project about them, yet their willingness to join in made the moment even more meaningful. This staged photo captures not just the setting of Coney Island, but also the lighthearted camaraderie that defined our time together.
Concluision
Summarizing the shift in understanding photography from a
passive act to an active, meaningful practice. Photography
emerges as a tool for personal storytelling, fostering
connections and creating lasting memories.
Figure 7.1: A photo of a photo being taken, capturing the act of capturing a moment. Figure 7.2: Standing atop the Empire State Building, surrounded by fellow travelers eagerly capturing the breathtaking New York skyline, I realized that this would be my last "touristy" stop in the city. Despite its iconic status, it took me an entire month to make my way here, perhaps because I was busy experiencing the quieter, more everyday corners of New York. As I joined the crowd in photographing this view, I wasn’t just capturing the scene; I was taking a final piece of my New York experience with me, a tangible memory to hold onto long after leaving.
This essay was submitted as the final assignment for GEx New York (NEX3003), a 4-unit module offered by the NUS College Dean’s Office.
Final Grade: A–.
