A longtime photographer of Lower Manhattan has taken close-up photos of the World Trade Center and mounted them on a scaffolding on East Fourth Street, just out of reach.

Brian Rose, the photographer behind “WTC,” said he was inspired to prepare the outdoor exhibit after cleaning negatives of World Trade Center photos he took as long as 30 years ago. In the process of ridding the film of dust, he zoomed in on it and became mesmerized by the architectural beauty of the towers’ details.

“’WTC’ was never a project, it was found,” Mr. Rose said.

But it is hard to find the World Trade Center in the six large photos hanging at 70 East Fourth Street. The shots are so close up that the iconic structures are virtually unrecognizable, and appear more as abstract geometric shapes.

The images’ position high on the scaffolding only adds to their elusive nature. Few passersby last night at the official opening even took notice of the artwork, which will be on display through the end of the year.

According to Mr. Rose, if the pictures blend into the street, the show is a success.