365 Project – 255: Remembering 9/11 as the Freedom Tower continues to rise from the ashes (September 11, 2012)

Shutter Speed: 1/50, Aperture: F/1.4, ISO: 800

I’ve posted several photos of the Freedom Tower from our summer visit to Manhattan but, thought I’d post another one in remembrance of 9/11. Here’s a night scene at Washington Square, full of locals, tourists and talented troubadours,  feeling safe and secure with the illuminated Freedom Tower growing beautiful, strong and tall in the background.   New York City is such a vibrant, incredible city and it’s  inspiring to see its amazing recovery after 9/11.

The Freedom Tower reminds us of what was lost,  but, also lifts our spirits by symbolizing the resiliency and spirit of New York City and our country.

Check out my other posts featuring the Freedom Tower:

* Remembering the World Trade Centers from Governor’s Island and the Freedom Tower
* The Freedom Tower from Castle Williams – Governor’s Island
* Biking on Governor’s Island…and the Brooklyn Bridge
* Day 4 – New York City (American Museum of Natural History, Babbo, Washington Square
* Day 2 – New York (Governors Island)

See more of my 365 Project: Untouched photos from my Nikon D5000 with 50mm lens

365 Project – 221: What the Freedom Tower and demolishing Bldg. 877 means to me… – Governor’s Island, New York City (August 14, 2012)

Shutter Speed: 1/1600, Aperture: F/6.3, ISO: 400

This is a storytelling photo for me because of growing up in Building 877, which is one of several delapidated military housing apartments slated for demolition. As a kid, I was unaware of the rundown state of these apartments, I just knew it was home and our unit had “cool views” of the city. Looking at the railing on top of 877 I remember Good Morning America, with Joan Lunden and David Hartmann, filming the 1976 Bicentennial Tall Ships celebration on the roof .  I also just remember walking amongst throngs of visitors, including our relatives we invited onto the island for the big event, and feeling so lucky we lived there.   They called these apartments  “the projects” but, I have nothing but fond memories of living really close to our neighbors, which I thought was fun, feeling safe playing and exploring all over the island, hearing taps at dusk, walking with my best friend around the entire island (~ 5 miles around) in 30 minutes,  and having access to Manhattan just a short ferry ride away across the Buttermilk Channel.  This photo also triggers bittersweet memories, seeing the new Freedom Tower, replacing the view of the World Trade Centers which we saw from our living room window.  But, this picture also makes me feel hopeful for the future, with the Freedom Tower looking beautiful and strong, my daughter swinging high and free symbolizing the security and joy she feels in her life, and the site of Building 877 soon making way for a new park which will be made accessible to all.  This photo captures history in the making and days gone by.

See more of my 365 Project: Untouched photos from my Nikon D5000 with 50mm lens

365 Project – 220: Manhattan and Freedom Tower from Castle Williams (Governor’s Island, New York City) (August 14, 2012)

Shutter Speed: 1/100, Aperture: F/16, ISO: 200

Here’s another view of Manhattan, from the top of Castle Williams on Governor’s Island. Whenever we saw airplanes or even helicopters in the sky, I couldn’t help but think of 9/11, especially while looking at the Freedom Tower under construction. And, again, here’s another cannon aimed at Manattan, poised to protect New York City’s inner harbor, back in the early 1800s.
See more of my 365 Project: Untouched photos from my Nikon D5000 with 50mm lens