With his kind permission, I’m posting another one of Craig Pindell’s Never Forget images and some of his words here today.
About the project, from the man himself:

“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 such 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. That 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 flags flying these days. Patriots are harder to find, but I have never missed my self-appointed scheduled photograph.”

The image below is the fifth in Craig’s series, taken on September 11th 2006.
 

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
Wind Blown Tree

Laramie County, Wyoming

Monday, September 11, 2006 6:46 AM Mountain Time

4×5 Kodak T-Max 100 Film

Linhof Tech V Camera – 150 mm lens – 2 Second Exposure at f/16


 
About the image:
 

“This was a Southeast Wyoming Day! Very cold and 40 mph winds with gust to 70 mph. The conditions are 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!”

 


 
I believe that today marks a time when we should all – regardless of religious, or political beliefs  – direct our thoughts to the thousands who lost their lives that day, the hundreds that slipped away in the days and weeks after, the tens of thousands left devastated in their wake and the countless number who have been lost in the years since.
Thanks for allowing me to share, Craig.
~ EMULSIVE
 
 

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