Since the earliest points in recorded history, peoples from all over the world have always had an unusually strong preference to light over darkness. Light seems to have this ability to evoke emotion and a sense of something that surpasses the ordinary and into the extraordinary. Four modern uses of light beams – flashlight, headlight, lighthouse, and searchlight – all hold in common a notion of direction and guidance. The Tribute in Light is no different and can be thought of as an incorporation of all four. Rescue personnel used flashlights and headlights on that tragic day. A lighthouse acts as a beacon in darkness to be used as guidance. Survivors from the buildings were able to escape because they were able to find their ways out of the smoke and debris. The Tribute is in fact a searchlight that broadcasts the memory of that day. The light piercing the clouds is as if it is trying to search for something, whether it is acceptance or reconciliation or whether it’s just trying to keep the memories alive. This photograph was taken on the 86^th floor of the Empire State Building Observatory at 8:59 p.m. I felt that this picture should be taken on top of the building that will once again carry the prestige of being the tallest building in New York City. Moments before I headed back to the elevator, I noticed that the fog had begun to obscure the view of the Tribute. The lights slowly disappearing is alike to time eventually helping us move on from that tragic day and letting us guide ourselves out of the darkness. I believe that the Tribute is an excellent way of helping us not to forget the September 11^th but to also help us move forward.

I was just finishing my duties at work when I realized that I had to take a photo of the Tribute In Light.I panicked; fortunately my friend was nice enough take me close enough, so that I could get a picture. We got off somewhere off the Brooklyn Queens Expressway. It was 8:37 and cloudy but I was impressed that I was still able to witness the light’s magnificent power in such an atmosphere. The light gave off this feeling of respect and images of 9/11 popped into my head, I could only imagine the pain that the victims and their families went through. The almost 3,000 people that died on that historic day didn’t deserve to die and they most certainly deserve a lot more than we could ever honor them with. My location was terrible and I made several attempts to get only the Lights in my picture so that I could make it the main subject. I took the picture above and was about to delete it when I realized that everything flowed together. The Tribute in Light is barely visible, however, it still sticks out like a sore thumb because of the people around and the car on the side. The picture gives the illusion that the Tribute in Light has the power to stop traffic and captivate everyone in its presence. The punctum would be the photographer on the left side because she supports the fact that the Tribute in Light is captivating in this image and further enhances the Light’s presence.

Beams of light are associated with many things and often symbolize a sense of transcendence. Whether it be a spotlight illuminating the night sky in search of something, or, as it appears in movies, a UFO’s tractor beam that pulls helpless people into it, the significance of light is very minute compared to the Tribute in Light. I had embarked on a mission that night and I had told myself that I was not going home until I captured an artistic snapshot honoring the unfortunate victims of terror ten years ago. I took a little short of one hundred pictures and I couldn’t find one that did the tribute any justice. Then I realized that I was looking at the event in the wrong way, literally and metaphorically. The Tribute of Light can be seen from practically anywhere in New York City. This specific photograph was taken in Astoria, Queens at 8:52 p.m. Although it may appear to be a result of laziness that the picture was taken so close to my home, it truly amplifies the idea that New York City stands united and exhibited togetherness to overcome our hardships. The angle that I have taken ties back to the original topic of significance. In this particular photo, the punctum would be the light’s impact on the clouds. This artistic aspect makes it seem like the lights reach through the heavens, which is an enlightening feature. The dual-beams of light soar up above and create an essence of peacefulness and, to an extent, a certain salvation. In my opinion, this photograph is an optimistic scope of remembrance and respect.