A man who unveiled photos from his trip to New York City in the year 2000 has internet users talking, with many pointing out how different the Big Apple looked back then.
Robert Webster, 48, from Derby in the East Midlands, England, shared some of his snaps of his trip on TikTok, showing a pre-9/11 New York City.
As a full-time music artist and DJ, Webster's main reason for his trip was to go record shopping, he told Newsweek. Among the photos are snaps of movie advertisements from the time, Times Square, and Madison Square Garden.
Robert Webster smiles during a trip to New York City in 2000. He used "two disposable cameras that I had bought for less than £5 each."Robert Webster smiles during a trip to New York City in 2000. He used "two disposable cameras that I had bought for less than £5 each."@theboywunda/TikTok"The only thing I never photographed was the day we went onto the roof of the World Trade Center as that day we forgot to take the cameras out," Webster told Newsweek. "We had no idea of what was to come the following year, which changed everything globally."
During his trip, when he was just 24 years old, Webster was armed with "two disposable cameras that I had bought for less than £5 each."
The British man's series of photos clearly sparked some interest in other TikTok users as it managed to rack up over 63,000 views since the images were shared on October 29.
Photos show how different New York City looked in the year 2000. The poster told Newsweek that "you get a real sense of an easier world."Photos show how different New York City looked in the year 2000. The poster told Newsweek that "you get a real sense of an easier world."@theboywunda/TikTok"Looking at them today in 2024, you get a real sense of an easier world, and one that is not glued to a screen. Everyone is just getting on with their day in their own worlds," Webster said.
"The vibe seemed calmer then but was also edgy in places. I mean, the difference is I went to Brooklyn and was terrified as soon as I entered. However, in February 2024 this year, I returned to New York and spent more time in Brooklyn than Manhattan so that shows the huge shift in the place's vibe and feeling of the city."
"The reactions were of joy for some and, for many, a sadness for those who perhaps lost people on 9/11," Webster added.
"Many comments are quite happy and positive, though, with lots of nostalgic memories for people," the British man said.
The traffic is seen at Madison Square Garden, New York, in 2000. "Many comments are quite happy and positive," the British man told Newsweek.The traffic is seen at Madison Square Garden, New York, in 2000. "Many comments are quite happy and positive," the British man told Newsweek.@theboywunda/TikTokWebster added: "They are just capturing brief moments before the world changed forever after 9/11, I guess."
Sightsmap says that New York City is the most-photographed place in the world, ranking higher than cities such as Rome, Barcelona, and Paris.
People shared their reactions to Webster's photos in the comments section of his video.
Jack Ward commented: "Late 90s and early 00s human existence peaked, before the introduction of social media."
"I love looking back on photos pre social media. The smiles are real, the poses are natural, there's no fighting for the perfect angle or filter. 2000 was an amazing year. Your pics capture NY so well!" posted @vorex.
Willy Nilly wrote: "Brilliant and poignant photos. I feel like society peaked around about that time and we are now seeing a sad and worrying decline in many ways. Of traditions, of kindness, of wonder."
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