Ground Zero, May 2, 2011
I happened to land in New York City from Los Angeles on May 1, 2011. Here are a few images from the scene in the very early hours of the next morning at Ground Zero after it was announced that Osama Bin Laden had been killed in Pakistan by US Special Forces. You’ll notice the Freedom Tower being built in the background (right) – too tired to do a real edit so here’s a selection. I shot a lot of frames but the ones that I gravitate towards are the ones with Ground Zero in the background. I Remember very similar scenes back in 2001 when I was covering events in Islamabad and Quetta Pakistan as a staff photographer for The New York Times – very different circumstances to say the least. Hard to believe almost a decade has gone by. I’ve seldom seen so many people united and perhaps even… relieved.
Ground Zero celebrations - May 2, 2011 - New York City. © Vincent Laforet
Ground Zero celebrations - May 2, 2011 - New York City. © Vincent Laforet
Ground Zero celebrations - May 2, 2011 - New York City. © Vincent Laforet
Ground Zero celebrations - May 2, 2011 - New York City. © Vincent Laforet
“10 years, 2 wars, 919,967 deaths, and $1,188,263,000,000 later, they’r celebrating the death of one person.” via pokthepop
I can just imagine after all that time
Nice photos.. Wish you had a “re-blog this” button. Have you found any good candidates for the job(s) yet?
Vincent Laforet Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 12:07 pm
Lot of great candidates. Last night put me behind schedule…
seems two with Technicolor profile, and two without 🙂
Wow! Some fantastic shots and the motion blur of the people and flag adds to the atmosphere.
Great capture and well done to obama for finding osama.
Nice photos, but the subject makes me wish I wasn’t American. These scenes are straight out of a WWE event.
Also, the sweater-vest on the light pole is waving an 18th century flag. WTF?
Vincent Laforet Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Mixed feelings about celebration on my end at times. But I understand it. For some people it’s a symbolic end and a time to rejoice. It has been 10 long years for everyone in the world – no matter what side you’re on. Only wish this meant it was all over.
I appreciate how you can publish your own photos through your blog and don’t need permission from editors like the New York Times. Good on you!!!!
I love how you utilised the flashes of all the other photographers to light your subject. Awesome!
Great shots Vince!! Really wish I could’ve participated with the crowds; but we watched things unfold from HTown on TV. I know that things are far from being “over” but I really think we Americans needed this in a big way.
Thanks for sharing these Vince. I wish this was the end. It’s not, but perhaps, hopefully, a turning point towards a more positive future.
These were shot with the 5D Mark III prototype and which lens?
@Andrew Gupta, Where is this strange rumor coming from today about the MKIII? They are false. Don’t have one.
The freedom tower looks awsome!, cant wait till 9/11/11 when the memorial opens
@Vincent Laforet, A new rumor shows up each week. This week’s rumor is that the megapixel count will remain the same and that Canon has focused on low noise at high ISO’s. I’m sure it will be something else next week.
I was actually poking fun, but am curious about the lens.
As usual, magnificent photos!
@Andrew Gupta, I’m pretty sure these were shot with a Hasselblad he tweeted about it last night
Nice pics.
But these scenes make me fell sad, just because I dont know how you can celebrate that?
I afraid same things happen again and again and again…
Stop killing people anymore, USA.
No more.
Majority of Japanese opinions is just WTF seeing these pics.
from Japan.
I find it more than a bit ironic that the guy waving the USA flag in the top picture is actually a Mexican. Just goes to show how diverse the USA is!
PS. I know the guy’s white, but trust me when I say Mexicans are a very diverse culture and come from different ethnicities.
Thank you for these photos of that great occassion!
One of my Greatest Joys is not having to explain to my 2 small children OBL is possibly hiding out there. I much prefer referring to him as leaded shark bate and referring to these photos instead of melting towers. OBL was a menace to peaceful muslims and all peace loving people…
Unforunately, that site should be a magnificent new twin tower with memorial visitation site and museum. But you know, politics prevail and it is what it is…
That being said, my prayers go to those buried there on that site and their familiies as well as all those who personally sacrifice to protect us every day…
I’m sure the active military and vets are as encouraged as I am with seeing photos like these and the reminder we should celebrate the memories of innocent civilians on both sides and the efforts of those who voluntarily sacrifice for peace…
I look forward to fewer memorial sites and many more celebrations like this …
As luck / fate would have it I was there with my camera too. I’m a music photographer from Canada and was in NYC on assignment to photograph the British band Brother at the Public Assembly in Brooklyn. I returned to my hotel around 1am and threw the TV on with the intention of editing my photos. Upon seeing the news I grabbed my gear, checked the maps app on my iPhone and ran from Soho to Ground Zero. What an amazing event to witness.
Best,
Michael
While I don’t exactly agree with celebrating someones death in this fashion, it looks like it was a fantastic and probably emotional event. Wish I could have been there to help capture this moment in history.
Can’t believe Vincent traveled to New York just by chance just as all this was about to happen. He must have had some source at the White House or something 🙂
Wonderful pictures
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IvPIWzQcUY
Sums it up pretty well. Now more than ever.
Nice shot’s Vincent. I wish I could have been there. I was in 2 WTC on 9-11-01 on the 62nd floor. I saw horrible things way to close and way to real. Never thought I would be happy with the death of another person, but Bin Laden’s passing was cathartic for some reason. I guess the closure in a sense from that terrible day helps. It will never bring back some of my friends and coworkers but it’s something.
These photos were shown on a PBS show. Did you know that Vincent or did they rip them off?
Killing somebody can never be the right thing to do! Celebrating the fact makes Americans look as bad as the terrorists, you’re suppose to be a Christian country – Thou shall not kill, ring any bells! Shame on you!
Brilliant documentation of that evening..
sad so sad. what country is this, that defines it’s own strength by the weakness of the others.
I’d rather had seen this mass murderer been sentenced to a life imprisonment, after a trial in den haag.those who think that now the danger of terrorism has been reduced are mistaken.
the brave people who are protesting everyday on the streets of cairo, tunis, sanaa, daraa & marrakesch for democracy are the best and only weapon against terrorism.
@Marcus, i totally agree
what are the specs for this picture? just wondering! thanks!
Vincent Laforet Reply:
August 30th, 2011 at 1:08 am
Shot w/ Hasselblad H4D on 40 MP back on their wide zoom at 2.8 around 1/4 second 800 ISO