Before viewing, a quick caution that the last image shown is of the fire brigade and NYPD on a rescue mission in the aftermath of 9/11, which may cause upset to some people.
I will remember the feeling I got from this photograph when looking at scenes in my hometown, as I found it interesting to question my own thoughts on finding such a beautiful photo of a disastrous scene.
Meyerowitz has composed this photograph so that part of a building in the distant background behind the rising smoke adds depth and shows the sheer scale of the damage that had been done. The orange glow is central to the image and is the first component to be noticed; this places the importance on what is happening. The eye is then guided towards the context of the glow as the floodlit blocks of concrete and strips of metal, which are highlighted against the dark night sky, show the difficulties that the rescue team are battling against. The brightly coloured hard-hats and reflective strips are dotted about in the foreground, which then brings the attention towards the people who are completing the rescue that is taking place. The clear indication of it being night time gives a sense of urgency, as it shows how hard these people work at any given time.Although black and white does not cause the loss of detail in this particular image, colour makes it easier for viewers to differentiate between the scene’s various components. In terms of context, colour gives more detail as to what is happening in the scene; the warm glow in the darkness signifies that the firemen are cutting through metal in an attempt to rescue those trapped inside.
Five More Found, New York City. 2001. Joel Meyerowitz
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