Slideshow: 57 faces of the 57th inauguration

Benjamin Lowy / Getty Images Reportage for NBC News

As people attending the second inauguration of President Barack Obama trained their eyes on the historic event, photojournalist Benjamin Lowy trained his lens on them.

Launch slideshow

“There is something about Americans glancing up,” said photojournalist Ben Lowy. “As Americans we’re always looking forward to the future. It doesn't matter if we’re black, white, yellow, or brown, we look the same when we look up.”

This concept is what attracted Lowy, represented by Getty Images Reportage, to the National Mall in Washington D.C. on a chilly morning in January. His personal mission was to capture as many individual faces “watching history go by” at the second inauguration of Barack Obama. It’s indirectly a continuation of a project he started while covering the political conventions in 2012, he said.

Lowy said when he looked closely at the faces of the convention attendees, “ I couldn't really tell the Republicans from the Democrats.”

“We’re all taking part in democracy,” he said. “Whether you were a member of the 47 percent who voted for Mitt Romney or you voted for Obama in 2012, we’re Americans no matter what.”

In total Lowy captured more than 2,000 portraits on Monday, and we present 57 of his photographs in the slideshow linked above to commemorate the 57^th Inauguration.

Related Links:

• Slideshow:  The second Inauguration of Barack Obama
  
• PhotoBlog: More images from the inauguration
• Obama takes ceremonial oath, tells nation 'our journey is not complete

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

Children look at Ducks in the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial that is full of algae after recently being filled with water, on Sept. 26, in Washington, DC. National Park Service officials have hired a contractor to remove the algae that has appeared after a two year, $34 million renovation of the pool.

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

A jogger runs past the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial that is full of algae after recently being filled with water on Sept. 26, in Washington, DC.

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

A Duck is half way submerged in the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial that is full of algae after recently being filled with water, on Sept. 26, in Washington, DC.

The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool reopened to the public at the end of August, after an almost two-year renovation costing $34 million. After being recently filled back up with water, it is now full of algae. Ironically, the new pool was intended to "improve the reflectivity of the water" with tinted concrete.  According to Reuters:

"With this renovation, we have given the Reflecting Pool a much-needed overhaul and brought its engineering into the 21st century," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said.

The 90-year-old pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial that also reflects the soaring Washington Monument had provided one of the capital's most-photographed views.

But the reflecting pool, which is about 160 feet wide and 2,100 feet long, had degraded badly over the decades.

Built on marshland without pilings for support, the original pool had sunk, causing cracks and leaks. The pool held 6.75 million gallons (25.6 million liters) of water but lost an estimated 500,000 gallons (1.9 million liters) a week to leaks and evaporation, the statement said.

Because the pool lacked a circulation system, it had to be emptied, cleaned and refilled twice a year. Read more.

Related links:

• Landscape architects' group offers a new view of the nation's capital
• Slideshow: Dreaming of D.C

Mark Wilson / Getty Images

Tourist walk past the Reflecting Pool in front of the Lincoln Memorial that is full of algae after recently being filled with water, on Sept. 26, in Washington, DC.

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Alex Wong / Getty Images

AP reports: An installation of 857 empty school desks, representing the number of students nationwide who are dropping out every hour of every school day, is on display at the National Mall on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 in Washington, DC. The installation was presented by not-for-profit organization College Board to call upon presidential candidates who are running for the White House to make education a more prominent issue in the 2012 campaigns and put the nation's schools back on track.

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Evan Vucci / AP

From left, Liza Joy Marcato of Hillsdale, N.Y., Beverly Steed of Washington, and Marcus Knausenberger of Devin, Pa., sing after a ceremony at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, on Jan. 16.

Many gathered this morning at the new Martin Luther King Jr. memorial along the National Mall. The memorial opened in August and features many quotations from the legendary civil rights leader. One of the quotes inscribed on a stone wall is being corrected after many complaints that the abridged version of the quote did not accurately reflect King's words. For more information, see the video at the end of the post.

AP reports:

Some gaze upon this figure in silence. Some smile and pull out cell phone cameras. Others chat about how closely the statue resembles King. And some are moved to tears.

"Just all that this man did so that we could do anything and be anything," said Brandolyn Brown, 26, of Cheraw, South Carolina, who visited the memorial Saturday with her aunt and cousin.

"I know it took a lot more than him to get to where we are, but he was a big part of the movement."

Read the full story.

Evan Vucci / AP

People gather at sunrise at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington,on Jan. 16, for a ceremony to mark his legacy. The Washington Monument is at center.

Evan Vucci / AP

Angelique Marcus of Baltimore, Md. touches a quote on the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, on Jan. 16, before a ceremony to honor his legacy.

Evan Vucci / AP

Sandra Everett of Springdale, Md., left, and her granddaughter Jada Shepherd, 7, of Springdale, Md., look up at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, on Jan. 16, before a ceremony to honor his legacy.