Lewis W. Hine s famous black and white photographs document the construction of the Empire State Building , the worlds tallest building at the time. Hine pays tribute to the human spirit by dramatically contrasting the workers with the mammoth scale of the structure. Thousands of construction workers, electricians, and other technicians risked their lives to ensure that the skyscraper rose to its now legendary height. In observing these men at work, Hine created a photo-journalistic record of their daring and perseverance. His photos also give a surprising glimpse into blue collar America in the 1930s when jobs were scarce and morale hit rock bottom. But the faces of the men swinging from cables, dangling from beams, and relaxing on the Empire States unfinished steel peaks convey anything but despair.