Craig Pindell Photographer
Never Forget
Like almost everyone I know, I
can remember exactly where I was when I heard that airplanes had crashed
into the twin towers, the Pentagon, and in the field in Pennsylvania. I
also can remember the sick feeling, the anger, the astonishment, and the
resolution to always remember that our country had been attacked in
a cowardly fashion.
Everywhere in the nation there
were American Flags flying proudly, the entire country came together as
one, we all promised we would never forget. The 2001 patriotism was the
genesis for this project for myself- I would make a photograph every
September 11 at 6:46 am Mountain Time - the exact time the first plane
hit the World Trade Center.
Since that horrible day in 2001,
memories have faded for some. There are fewer American flags flying these days.
Patriots are harder to find, but I have never missed my self-appointed
scheduled photograph. It is a labor of love, and is too important to me for me to
not create each year's image. Making the
photos for this self-assignment will take the rest of my life, and long
as I am physically strong enough, I will never miss a 9/11 photo.
Photography is usually a solitary
event. Photography with a
large format view camera (which I use for the majority of these
photographs) has been described as hours of patience followed by 1/2
second of activity. While
that is a bit of an exaggeration, there is a lot of time to reflect
while waiting for the light to be right,
or in the case of the images presented here, for the clock to
reach the appointed time of 6:46 AM Mountain Time.
During that waiting time I am able to recall the day of the
attacks, to recall the events of the past year, and to consider the
ongoing impact that 9/11 brings to all Americans.
Time I treasure every year.
I
hope you enjoy these photographs, I hope you appreciate the effort, and
I hope that you please, Never Forget.
Most Recent
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Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Toadstool Geologic Park Northwest Nebraska Linhof Master Technika 2000 Camera
Kodak Tri X Film
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Wednesday, September 11, 2002 6:46 AM Mountain Time
Waterfalls near Sugarloaf Road
Snowy Range, Wyoming
8x10 Ilford Delta 100
Film
Burke and James Camera
360 mm lens
3 Second Exposure at f/45
This morning is warmer than I thought
it would be.
As I left Cheyenne at 4:30 AM,
I saw a few flags flying, but it was really quiet.
There will be memorial
services later on, but I will miss them.
I chose to venture down Sand
Lake Road because I have photographed in this area before with
my friend Graig Marrs, and I knew I would find a suitable
subject.
When I conceived this project,
I had not considered the logistics involved.
I like to wander and
photograph what interests me, but when working to a constraint
such as a particular time, like I am in this project, there is a
lot of pressure to have the photograph already in your mind, and
not be caught hunting for a location when the clock strikes 6:46 AM.
This
particular lens does not have a shutter, so there were a lot of
opportunities to mess this up while taking the lens cap off to
expose the film or when replacing the lens cap.
The photography gods smiled on
me, and the exposure was just as I had envisioned.
Thursday, September 11, 2003 6:46 AM Mountain Time
View from Lewis Lake
looking towards Sugarloaf Mountain
Snowy Range, Wyoming
Burke and James Camera
360 mm lens
1 Minute Exposure at f/45
The morning was cold and still.
There were occasional snow
flurries, and I had hopes that the snow would not obscure the
scene at 6:46 AM.
The drive up the mountain was
nice, with no traffic. I was all alone on this huge mountain.
Once the camera was in place,
I waited for about 15 minutes and thought of how the world had
changed since 9/11.
As it got closer to time to
make the photograph, I could see another snow squall coming my
way.
I removed the lens cap at the
appointed time, not knowing if the mountain in the background
would be at all visible. I could see it, sort of, so I hoped it
would show up on the negative.
Once I developed the film, I
was really pleased with the result.
I began to feel there must be
something magical about the project and how things work out to
make sure the images are successful.
Saturday, September 11, 2004 6:46 AM Mountain Time
Aspen Trunks Along Blair Wallace Road
Laramie County, Wyoming
4x5 T-Max 100 Film
Linhof Tech V
150 mm lens
4 Second Exposure at f/16
Usually, Saturday morning is reserved
for breakfast out.
A way to end the work week,
sometimes preceded by Friday night happy hour.
This morning I chose to stay
close to Cheyenne, only about a 45 minute drive to this road,
and I knew there were a few beaver ponds that would offer some
photographic opportunities.
As I turned the first few
corners, I saw the aspens along the road and knew I could make
an interesting photograph.
The sky was very overcast,
but there was no wind. I came across this clump of trees and
set up the camera.
I looked at my watch and I had
a 35 minute wait until time to release the shutter.
Enough time to second guess
myself many times over.
I kept thinking there may be
better trees on down the road.
Eventually I convinced myself
to stay with these trees and was really happy I did.
This area was very quiet, not
even many birds at that hour of the morning.
Usually there is a lot of wind
in Southeast Wyoming, but not today.
The fall air was crisp, but
there was no frost.
There were patches of aspen
trees that had started to turn colors, but not in the area of
these trees.
A truly beautiful Wyoming
morning.
Sunday, September 11, 2005 6:46 AM Mountain Time
French Creek
Downstream from Lake Marie
Snowy Range, Wyoming
4x5 T-Max 100 Film
Linhof Tech V Camera
300 mm lens
30 Second Exposure at f/16
French Creek is high up in the Snowy Range, nearly 12,000 feet above sea level, and the weather is very unpredictable. I expected snow and cold, instead it was warm (35 F) and clear. I knew that direct sun would make any scene involving moving water nearly impossible to photograph well, so I looked for a location that I was sure would be in shadows. I had almost finished setting up the camera for this scene when the sun rose over the mountain and half of the scene was in sun and the other half in shadow. A disaster.
As I considered the options of finding another location, or changing composition, knowing that time was short, clouds began to sneak over the mountains to the west. First just a few, but then more and more. They were moving very fast, as mountain clouds usually do. I began to hope that this photograph would work out after all. Just minutes before I made this exposure, the clouds parted and the entire scene was in sun! I fully expected this to be a complete bust.
Just as I metered for my final
exposure calculations, a large cloud moved in and the situation
was exactly as I had hoped for at the beginning of the day.
I made the exposure knowing
that the photography gods had once again smiled on me and the
project.
Monday, September 11, 2006 6:46 AM Mountain Time
Wind Blown Tree
Laramie County, Wyoming
4x5 T-Max 100 Film
Linhof Tech V Camera
150 mm lens
2 Second Exposure at f/16
This was a Southeast Wyoming Day! Very cold and 40 mph winds with gusts to 70 mph. The conditions were a huge technical challenge, to say the least. Large format view cameras are not known for their aerodynamics, and to photograph in wind like this takes some creative problem solving. I moved my vehicle to the upwind side of where I expected the camera to be, trying to keep the vehicle as close as possible to the camera. I also tied the camera bag to the center column of the tripod for additional stability.
When the meter indicated a 2 second
exposure, I was sure there would be no chance of the tree being
stable and in sharp focus in the image.
I also had doubt that the
camera would be steady for that long.
As I waited for 6:46 AM, I
noticed that when the wind was steady, the tree would lean to
the right, but then would hold that position until the wind
eased or a bigger gust moved it further.
I hoped for steady wind at
6:46 AM, and as luck would have it, the tree was steady.
I did make a second negative
of this scene, which I had not ever done for this project, but
the first negative was the better and my track record with the
photography gods is intact!
By the way, I was only 20 minutes
late for work on this morning, thanks to a really strong tail
wind while I was driving back to Cheyenne.
Credit the photography gods
with another assist!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007 6:46 AM Mountain Time
Sky Scrapers
Denver, Colorado
T-Max 100 Film
Hasselblad Camera
80 mm lens
1/2 Second Exposure at f/11
I was very fortunate to be asked to
be part of a conference about Shutdowns, Turnarounds and Outages
in Denver Colorado and I accepted before I realized I would be
at the conference for 9/11.
I considered withdrawing from
the conference, but in the end I felt I could make my photograph
at the appointed time, and still be able to get to the
conference session on time.
It had been a big year since
the last 9/11 photograph.
Sadam Hussein had been found,
tried and hung.
The war based on lies was
being called out for what it was. The government was being
exposed, finally.
They took the events of 9/11
and used them as a catalyst for profiteering and bloodshed.
Patriotism is turning to anger.
As I left the hotel and walked in
downtown Denver, it occurred to me that there were people
walking in New York City the morning of 9/11.
I cannot imagine the feeling
they must have had when they looked up and saw the planes hit
the buildings.
Cities are so enclosed and I
feel trapped in the city.
It had to be pure terror!
When I had finished making this
image, the security person from the building on the right came
out and told me in no uncertain terms to leave the area.
He had called the police and
my activities were suspicious.
I thought about waiting for
the police to explain myself, but I did not want to be late for
the conference session, so I left.
As far as I know, the Denver
police are still looking for a terrorist with a
camera.............
Thursday, September 11, 2008 6:46 AM Mountain Time
Lake Marie
Snowy Range, Wyoming
4x5 T-Max 100 Film
Linhof Tech V Camera
65 mm lens
30 Second Exposure at f/22
I really enjoy photographing in Snowy Range, and I like coming here for my 9/11 project. The quiet and the calm are soothing and at this time of year, I am usually alone. On this day, I could hear someone else, maybe a photographer, but never saw them. I was sure to make enough noise that they knew I was around, as well. This morning was better than I could have hoped for; the air was crystal clear and there was very little wind. The temperature was just below freezing, but there was no frost.
I had long wanted to make this
photograph, but when I had been here in the summer, there were
people along the shore line.
I preferred the scene the way
I found it on this day-empty.
The wide angle optics
exaggerates the distances in this photograph, making it seem
even larger than it really is.
The peaks are very impressive,
especially when you are at the base looking up, as I am here.
It reminds me of how small I
really am in the world.
We humans certainly are a
small part of the organism that is our world.
Friday, September 11, 2009 5:46 AM Pacific Time
Horsetail Falls
Multnomah County, Oregon
T-Max 100 Film
Hasselblad
50 mm lens
2 Minute Exposure at f/11
I was very concerned my project was going to end this year. I was working at a chemical plant west of Portland, Oregon, and my supervisor made it clear that there would be no time off during this job. After a lot of careful consideration, I decided that continuing the project was more important to me that the continued employment at that company. When I was driving up to the job from Wyoming, I had stopped and photographed this waterfall, but I was there in the early afternoon, and the light was not good. I decided it would be a good possibility for my 9/11 photograph this year. As I was mapping out the trip and calculating the departure time from my hotel, I remembered that 6:46 AM was Mountain Time, and I was in the Pacific Time zone. I had to move the schedule up an hour and make the photograph at 5:46 AM Pacific Time.
I knew there would not be much light
at that time of day, so a long exposure was obvious.
When I travel for work, I do
not always take my large format cameras, I take a smaller format
instead. I usually take a lighter tripod as well.
For long exposure work, heavy
cameras and heavy tripod usually work best, so I would have to
find a way to make my lightweight equipment do the job.
By finding a camera position
that would allow the use of a wide angle lens and by weighing
the tripod down with extra weights, I was able to overcome the
potential problem, and made an image that pleased me.
The early hour allowed me to get back
to work less than one hour late, and I had stopped and purchased
a few dozen donuts, so all was forgiven.
I made my photograph and kept
my job........
Saturday, September 11, 2010 6:46 AM Mountain Time
Blair Wallace Campground
Laramie County, Wyoming
8x10 T-Max 100 Film
Kodak Master View Camera
240 mm lens
2 Second Exposure at f/16
When I headed out for this year’s
picture, I had an idea I would chose this location.
I remembered this campground
from when I used to come up to this area with my parents and
grandparents.
We fished the beaver ponds
around here quite a bit.
It took some looking around to
find the campground, it is back off of the road a bit, and
somewhat hidden by the bushes along the creek between the
campground and the road.
It does not show in the photograph,
but the pine beetle has killed most of the trees in this area,
and I would bet that in another year or two none of the trees in
this picture will still be standing.
Another reminder that the
world around us is always changing, and if we do not adapt, we
will go the way of the majestic pine trees, destroyed by a tiny
beetle barely big enough to see......
Sunday, September 11, 2011 6:46 AM Mountain Time
Twin Towers of Stone
Laramie County, Wyoming
4x5 T-Max 100 Film
Linhof Tech V Camera
150 mm lens
1/2 Second Exposure at f/16
This was a cool, breezy morning, and
I found this photo very quickly.
I had lot of time to
contemplate the year since that had passed.
Osama Bin Ladin had been
killed.
The name most associated with
the 9/11 cowards had been executed.
My good friend and motorcycle
companion of many years seems to be very sick.
My mother had been in the
hospital a couple of times for internal bleeding.
My mother-in-law had fallen
and had surgery this year.
I had quit my job because the
travel and schedule was impossible.
The new company I went to work
for certainly had not lived up to expectations, and I still have
three more months of my contract with them. A lot of change in short
order. I have no comfort zone anymore.
And saddest of all, even the death of Bin Ladin does not bring back the flags and the patriotism. Americans have forgotten the feeling we had after 9/11.
Please Never Forget!
Monday, September 11, 2012 6:46 AM Mountain Time
Mirror Lake and Medicine Bow Peak
Snowy Range, Wyoming
8x10 T-Max 400 Film
Kodak Master View Camera
240 mm lens
1/4 Second Exposure at f/32
I am back
in the beautiful Snowy Range.
It is crisp, clear and calm.
It is a gorgeous Wyoming day.
I am so blessed to
be here.
I have lots of time for
thinking and reflection.
Around Thanksgiving, my grandfather and a favorite aunt passed away. The holidays were a lot less bright this year. My friend and a long time motorcycle riding buddy died on Mother’s Day this year. I was lucky enough to be able to spend time with him before he passed. In June my mother had open heart surgery and the results were not what we had hoped for. She passed in July with my sister, my brother and me at her side. After that, my time has been spent trying to sort through her house full of belongings and treasures and memories. This has been the saddest time I can ever remember. I have worked less than six months all year. Even though my brother and sister and I have put a lot of effort into my mom's house, it seems like months of work left to do. Today here in the mountains, all of that went away, and I was able to just think about photography and nature and the peace of being here.
Even through all of this horrible sadness and
Wednesday, September 11, 2013 6:46 AM Mountain Time
Prairie Road
Goshen County, Wyoming
4x5 T-Max 400 Film
Linhof Tech V Camera
150 mm lens
1 Second Exposure at f/22
Today is cold and raining off and on. Sometimes a downpour, other times, just a drizzle. It is cold and wet and contributed to the meloncholy feeling. As I had planned for this event, I had read about Flight 93, the flight that crashed in the field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. I had heard the Neil Young song "Let's Roll" twice the past week on the radio. Instead of my usual trip to the mountains, this year I chose to go to the plains north and east of Cheyenne. The rolling hills are peaceful and there are not many people around to interrupt the day.
I set out this morning looking for an open area, and when I saw this road that went on and on into the horizon, it made me think of how things keep going on. Through tragedies, through victories, through wars, through celebrations. Every event is but a bump in the road of life. The road extends to the horizon - for some that horizon is closer than it is for others. None of us knows how long that road may be.
No wonder then, that Americans seem to forget the events of 9/11 a little more each year. That horrible day was a bump on the road. It was a big bump. It was a memorable bump. I read yesterday that anyone who is 15 years of age or younger this year has no memory of that horrible day. What a tragedy, but what a blessing as well. I think everyone who can remember that day knows exactly where they were when they heard our world had changed forever. The youngsters do not remember how it was when we still had personal freedoms and the NSA spying on Americans was unthinkable. No matter, I remember how it was, and I remember that horrible day.
Thursday, September 11, 2014 5:46 AM Pacific Time
At The Ready
Bend Oregon
4x5 T-Max 100 Film
Linhof Tech V Camera
210 mm lens
2 Minute Exposure at f/16
This scene saved this project for me. Katie and I were on the way home from one of the worst photography workshop experiences I have ever had. The workshop at Shore Acres and Bandon Oregon had not been productive. It was the first photo workshop that Katie had joined me, and it was the most disappointing I had ever attended. I was frustrated and angry and ready to get home.
We left Coos Bay, Oregon at noon on September 10th and had driven as far as Bend, Oregon before stopping for the night. For the entire day of traveling, we had been looking for photographic possibilities for the 9/11 image, but had not seen anything fitting. When I was in the hotel room, I thought that I had come to the end of the project. I feared that I had finally succumbed to the feeling that 9/11 was in the past - no big deal any more. These days we have Ebola, and ISIS to worry about. That awful day becomes a more and more distant memory every year. The fact that I was even considering not making the photo, was making me more upset and more angry the longer I sat in the hotel room. Finally, I concluded I was not ready to quit. So what if it is hard. So what if I had to work for the image. Time to stop moping and to get busy. We got in the car and headed back to the west, along the highway we had traveled into town. As we had come into town, I had noticed a large flag at a business near the highway, and I thought if it were lighted, there may be a photography opportunity.
The flag idea was a complete bust. The flag was not lighted, and from all angles the background was horrible. It was very dark by now, and as we drove further west, there was less to see. Finally we turned around and headed to toward the hotel. At the moment the large flag came into view on the left side of the car, something caught my attention on the right side - the lights of the fire station. The huge glass doors, the gleaming fire engines, it all fell into place. Immediately, my mind connected the dots and I was transported back to the day of 9/11 and the First Responders answering the call, even knowing the outlook was grim. Firefighters running into the smoke and ash and dirt that everyone else was running away from. The Project is saved!
I saw a couple of firefighters in the bay of the station, so we pulled in and parked. I introduced myself and explained my project, and asked if I could return the next morning to make a photo at 5:46 AM. They both immediately seemed to know the significance of the time. Without hesitation they granted permission, but then qualified it with conditions- nothing difficult- just that I needed to understand that the smaller truck was most likely to be called out, with the truck in the far bay being the next most likely. They felt it would be best to photograph aligned with the center bay, but to be ready to get out of the way quickly if there was a call. I agreed and went out to the driveway to preview the scene. When I walked in front of the middle bay, the photograph all came together. The light range was extreme, but thanks to the John Sexton workshop I attended the past spring, I was able to manage that issue. There were minimal camera movements required. I felt incredibly fortunate. I went back to the hotel that night feeling like the trip was worth it after all.
When I arrived at the fire station the next morning, everything was quiet and still. The morning was crisp and clear. A great morning for photography. I set up the camera and had about 20 minutes to wait for 5:46 AM. It gave me time to think about the previous eleven September 11 mornings, and the variety of locations I had photographed. And about how the project has a mind of its own, and if I try to force it, it does not work. The fire station was very different from the other scenes I had found, but the feeling I had was the same. My soul knew how important this was. How meaningful this was. How easy it is to screw up an exposure using a large format camera. The tension builds as I check and double check and triple check the camera, the meter readings, the film.
Just before the magic moment arrives, I noticed that the light level on the building has increased and I hurried to meter the scene one more time. I quickly make the final adjustments, and release the shutter - photograph number 12 of this project is created. Katie and I had been traveling nearly two weeks at this point, and up until this photograph, it seemed to me that the trip was a photographic bust. Instead, it ended up being one of the best trips we have ever taken. As I packed up to leave, I could not help but know that from the first year, things have fallen into place to make these photographs special, at least to me. I hope they are special to you as well. But most importantly, I hope you never forget why I create them. It is truly a labor of love.
No matter what, I will continue to photograph on September 11, as long as I am able.
And I will Never Forget why I do this........
Friday, September 11, 2014 6:46 AM Mountain Time
Grain Elevator
Chappell, Nebraska
8x10 Ilford HP5+ Film
Kodak Master View Camera
250 mm lens
½ Second Exposure at f/22
When I began thinking and planning for this year’s photo, I knew I would
be close to home for September 11, rather than be traveling. I thought
about returning to Snowy Range, because I always enjoy having time
there. I also considered trying to find a scene in Northern Colorado,
possibly a grasslands image.
Eventually I remembered I had seen this particular grain elevator some
time ago, and the huge flag really caught my attention.
I decided to scout the scene, to be sure the flag was still there, and
to find a possible camera position.
I hopped on the motorcycle and made the nearly 300 mile (round
trip) on September 9. I was
happy to find the Flag still there and looking great.
When I was in my teens, working on my Grandfather’s farm, I used to haul
wheat to this elevator, so in a way, this was a homecoming for me.
It was a beautiful morning.
Calm winds and only a few clouds. The clouds helped even the
light on the elevator.
I set up the camera and waited for 6:46, and I thought about all the
families that have another anniversary to remember those who perished.
Not only in the attacks, but also in the wars that followed.
While all of us share the loss, some feel it much more than others.
The post 9/11 patriotism has not returned, maybe it never will.
It is so sad.
I will continue to photograph on September 11, as long as I am able.
Sunday, September 11, 2016 6:46 AM Mountain Time
Fallen Tree Rubble Pile
Happy Jack Road, Albany County Wyoming
8x10 Ilford FP4+ Film
Kodak Master View Camera
250 mm lens
3 Second Exposure at f/32
The moment I saw the
pile I thought of the rubble pile after the towers collaps
Very
The rubble pile is
evidence this mighty tree did not give up easily. The pile
Monday, September 11, 2017
6:46 AM Mountain Time
Two Rocks and Tree
Vedauwoo, Albany County Wyoming
Linhof Master 2000 Camera
210 mm lens
6 Second Exposure at f/22
I have been around Vedauwoo my
entire life.
I can remember picnics here
with my family when I was very young.
Earlier this year when I was
testing a camera I had built, I came across this rock formation
next to the road.
All of these years, I had
never seen the formation as two rock towers, but once I saw it,
and recognized the similarity to the Twin Towers, I knew this
would be the 2017 photograph.
As I set up the camera, I
thought about the year since the last 9/11.
The deep divisions in our
country, and the sadness most of my friends share about the
direction of the new government.
It is amazing that the
country was better immediately after the 9/11 terrorist attacks
than it is now.
As I worked out the fine
points of the image in the darkroom, I could not help but be
hopeful for the future.
Our country will survive the
current situation just as we survived the terrorist attacks.
We will see a great country
again.
We have seen the best of
Americans helping each other following hurricanes Harvey and
Irma. We have seen the firefighters throughout the west doing
incredible things to preserve what they can.
It is America, and we
survive.
And most of all, let's Never Forget.
Lets get back to proudly
flying our flags on 9/11.
Remember the tragedy of that
awful day. Lets return to being strong and being the best we can
be.
I will Never Forget why I do this........
Tuesday, September 11, 2018
6:46 AM Mountain Time
Vedauwoo, Albany County Wyoming
4x5 Ilford HP5 Film
Linhof Master 2000 Camera
150 mm lens
1/2 Second Exposure at f/16
When I headed out it was a cool
morning, with very little wind.
No frost, but it felt like
the winter was coming soon.
I hoped my new 8x10 camera
would arrive in time for the Never Forget photo this year,
but unfortunately, it was
still clearing customs on 9/11.
During the year since last 9/11, the
country has become more divided and more negative.
Unfortunately, America has
lost her way.
Who knows when it may get
better, but almost everyone I know believes that not all is
lost.
Not yet.
I am truly thankful that our
government is built on checks and balances.
I hope our democracy can
withstand this test.
When I saw this scene with the divided trees, I felt that it was the visual depiction of where the country was at this time. Still upright. still standing, but standing apart.
I can not help but think about Where
the country was when this project began.
We had been attacked and the
country came together as one, and stood strong against our
enemies.
Flags were proudly flown.
We were patriotic.
We cared about our fellow
Americans.
I miss that feeling.
The 9/11 attacks were
horrific, but afterward the country was amazing.
I will Never Forget that
feeling, and I will Never Forget that my country may be hurting,
but we are not done yet.
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
6:46 AM Mountain Time
Trees and Rocks
Box Canyon, Vedauwoo, Albany County Wyoming
Bomm V810 Camera
250 mm lens
1/2 Second Exposure at f/22
It was a cool calm morning, somewhat unusual for Wyoming in September. It is a beautiful day to have the Bomm camera out and working. I was hoping to have this camera for last year’s Never Forget photo, but as luck would have it, the camera cleared customs and arrived at my house the day after 9/11 last year.
I had scouted this area a couple of days before today, and found a scene I thought would be perfect for today’s photo, but this morning when I arrived, I saw these two trees and plans immediately changed. The starkness of the trees and rocks truly fit how I was feeling this year.
After 9/11, I was sure that this day would become a national holiday of remembering, but that never happened. Even right after, when the attack was fresh in everyone’s minds, there was never an effort to create a holiday. No wonder so many have seemed to forget.
In 2001, many nations came together to fight terrorism. 18 years later many countries are tearing themselves apart and turning their backs on long-time allies. As healing as the unity was in 2001, the divisions in 2019 are as strong and deeply disturbing. It is as if civilization has forgotten how to compromise. There seems to be no middle ground on any issue. People cannot find respect for others.
In spite of the negativity, I still feel strongly about all of the victims and the families effected by the attack and continue to vow to Never Forget.
Friday, September 11, 2020
6:46 AM Mountain Time
Two Leaning Trees
Oliver Reservoir, Kimball, Nebraska
Bomm V810 Camera
250 mm lens
1 Minute Exposure at f/22
It was a chilly morning, not what I was expecting in western Nebraska. No wind, no one else around. Once the camera was set up and ready, I had a few minutes to reflect on the project and on the peacefulness of the morning. In fact most of the mornings I experienced during this project were this way. Only a couple were windy, or snowy. Usually it is calm, and peaceful, and rejuvenating. Each year as i think about all that has gone on during the year, it is easy to be depressed. Our country has lost it's way. The leaders of the country have turned their back on the principals the country was founded on. Civil discussion is long gone.
On the other hand, it is still an incredible country with so many fantastic citizens. As the government strip needy citizens of services, individual step up and fill the gap. The Covid pandemic has widened the abyss between the haves and have nots, and the government is encouraging that as much as possible. It looks like things will get very difficult in our country, with the unavailability of toilet paper being the least of our problems, no matter how important it seems at certain times of the day.
There is hope that one day soon, there will be a vaccine, and we will be able to fight the pandemic. Once we are vaccinated things will return to normal.
Even though there are many challenges ahead, I still forge ahead with this project and I solemnly vow to Never Forget.
Saturday, September 11, 2021
6:46 AM Mountain Time
Jumbled Trees
Mirror Lake, Snowy Range, Wyoming
Bomm V810 Camera
250 mm lens
1 Minute Exposure at f/32
It was an exceptionally warm day in the Wyoming mountains. The end of a long hot summer. There were many specials on TV about this being the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Most of them ended with reporters lamenting the loss of the closeness we felt as a nation following 9/11. There were long stories written about the unity we had, and how we need to find that common interest again.
It is a sharp contrast to the citizens of the US that attempted to overthrow the government on January 6, 2021. Or the citizens trying to strip voting rights from as many other citizens as possible. A third of the population is refusing to be vaccinated to fight the Covid 19 pandemic that it is killing thousands of citizens every day. In many ways the country seems to be headed back to the 1800's. It doesn't seem likely that we will find the civic pride we had right after 9/11.
In addition to the civil unrest, there is climate change. Most of the western US spent the summer fighting wild fires, or suffering through the smoke from the fires. The eastern and southern portions of the country dealt with violent storms and severe flooding. Many years I have shivered as I made the Never Forget image, but this year I didn't even need a jacket.
I have had a few folks ask why I continue this project. To me, it is the most important photography project I have ever undertaken. On September 12, 2001, we all said we would Never Forget. I think we all meant it, some more than others. Some of us even thought that September 11 would become a national holiday. I can't forget all of those that lost their lives that day. Nor can I forget all of the families impacted that horrible day. I also won't forget the day our country was attacked, on our soil.
I hope that in some small way, this collection of photographs reminds you of why we all should Never Forget. It is important for the victims, for their families, and most of all, for our country!
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Sunday, September 11, 2022
6:46 AM Mountain Time
Grain Elevator In Fog
Albin Wyoming
8x10 TMax 100 Film
Bomm V810 Camera
250 mm lens
3 Second Exposure at f/32
This morning is cold. Most of the summer has been far hotter
than usual, so it is nice to have a break from the near 100F
temperatures, but the 40F felt surprisingly cold.
As I drove east from
Cheyenne, there were patches of fog, and I was hoping there
wouldn’t be fog around this grain elevator. I had been to the
elevator a couple of days before to make sure it would be okay
to photograph and the weather had been clear.
Because of the rules I made for myself when I started this
project, I knew I had to make the best of what I had in front of
me. The fog wasn’t lifting, and the sun was coming up, lighting
the top of the tallest structure. At 6:46 when I released the
shutter, I felt I had a negative I could make an acceptable
print from, but I wasn’t sure if there would be clear definition
between the structure and the sky.
There is still a lot of division in the country. Ukraine is at
war with Russia, and there is every possibility that conflict
could involve a lot more countries before it is resolved,
including the US. The Queen of England died a couple of days
ago, and the news is mostly about her and the new King. The
tragedy of 9/11 was barely mentioned on the news this year. It
seems the attack is doomed to only be remembered on milestone
anniversaries. There are very few flags flying. Patriots are
distracted with other issues.
I still feel strongly about this project and about all of the
victims and the families affected by the attack and I still vow
to Never Forget.
Monday, September 11, 2023, 6:46 AM Mountain Time
Guernsey Dam Head Gate
Guernsey State Park, Wyoming Linhof Master Technika 2000 Camera
Kodak TMax 100 Film
150 mm lens
6 Second Exposure at f/32
This morning is cool and clear. It was cloudy when I left
Cheyenne at 5am, and the road was wet for most of the drive
here. The closer I was to Guernsey, the happier I was that it
clear. The forecast earlier in the week called for rain, and
last night there were flash flood and severe weather warnings
for this area.
I stopped at the entrance gate and purchased the day pass, and made my
way to the parking area below the dam. I was the only person
around. I slipped on the backpack and picked up the tripod and
headed for the steep trail up to the spot I had scouted along
the spillway just below the dam. I liked the way the lines of
the fence and the spillway led to the two uprights of the dam
head gate. To me, those uprights felt similar to the Twin Towers
– strong, bulky, and most of all, indestructible. Of course, we
all know that anything man-made (other than plastic pollution)
is not indestructible.
Once at the chosen photo position, I set up the camera and
waited for 6:46 am. As
usual, I felt the disappointment that most Americans don’t care
much about 9/11, or the lives lost and forever changed that day.
Very few take time to reflect on the significance of the attacks
and the aftermath. The anniversary is barely mentioned on TV or
on the radio anymore. Maybe it will be remembered on the 25th
anniversary, or the 50th.
I can’t forget the days after the attack, and how the country
came together as one. We were all ready, willing and able to
defend our nation. The American flag was flying at homes and
businesses across the nation. Differences were put aside and we
were one nation, indivisible. I don’t know that the patriotism
we saw then will ever come back. The country is in big trouble,
and there doesn’t seem to be anyone with the will or the ability
to get us back on track.
At 6:46 I released the shutter, and another image was added to
the project.
I still feel that this project matters and my heart still aches
for all of the victims and the families affected by the attack. I still vow to Never Forget. |
Please, Never Ever Forget!
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