On the morning of September 11, photographer David Monderer went to the Manhattan Bridge with a medium-format camera and tripod to photograph the New York City skyline. The weather was a brilliant blue, clear day. At around 8:30 a.m., he took what would become one of the last known photographs of the Twin Towers standing completely unscathed. This particular photograph is now part of the permanent collection at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and is often the first image visitors see as they enter.
After taking his initial photographs, Monderer packed up his equipment and began to head back to Manhattan. Shortly after, at 8:46 a.m., he heard a loud crash. American Airlines Flight 11 had struck the North Tower. He then began to document the unfolding tragedy from the same vantage point on the Manhattan Bridge.
His series of photos from that morning includes:
- Before: The stunning, serene image of the Twin Towers against a clear blue sky, taken just minutes before the first plane hit.
- During: Photographs taken after the attacks began, showing smoke billowing from the North Tower and later, after the South Tower was also hit.
- After: Images showing the aftermath of the towers’ collapse, with massive plumes of smoke and dust where the buildings once stood. He also took photos days later, showing the changed skyline.
Monderer’s photographs provide a unique and compelling perspective on the events of 9/11, capturing a sequence of moments from a single location that went from peaceful and beautiful to chaotic and devastating.
(All photos by © David Monderer)
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