As a young man I had the luck of having Cousin Joan and her roommate Sari, who lived in a twin building complex well suited for architectural photography, who allowed me to come and visit.  Originally known as Kips Bay Plaza [see footnote ***], it was designed by a young architect named Leoh Ming Pei (aka IM Pei!).   It was one of the first projects to use a revolutionary cast-in-place concrete application. To be able to photograph the wide expansive and sleek lobby would have been an architectural/interior photographers dream.  Unfortunately, at that time I did not have a camera with the proper wide-angle photographic lens!

Fast forward thirty years, I am still dumbstruck by the majesty of a cityscape with the New York City skyline. One of my favorite images was taken 9/11/2002, exactly one year after that tragic day in September.  It was a far cry from seeing the Woolworth building in the afternoon of  the 9/11 attack camouflaged by smoke.  That image taken 9/11/2002 shows the resilience of New York as we see the splendid architecture of iconic Woolworth building against a blue sky.

 Recently to commemorate the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and our recovery, I did an architectural photograph of the WTC Building Number One rising more than two thirds completed (as shown).  Another architectural photograph taken that day commemorates the rebuilding of the neighborhood and a return to “normalcy”. 

On that Sunday afternoon, I happened to see a group of young men enjoying a pick up game of basketball showcasing a park and recreational area recently completed by the city planners and architects.

 ***This was one of IM Pei’s first residential projects and a major project in his career.  In 1993 he returned and a garden was dedicated to him.  The Condo is also scheduled to add solar panels on the roof.

See production photos at the bottom of this post.

I thank Gesell Tobias and his production team for  reporting on my architectural  photography show ‘Tragedy and Healing‘ for Voice of America Latin America.

Above is the edited broadcast of the VOA interview of myself and my photographic experiences and reportage while covering the 9/11 events.  To me my show depicts ”a look back from where we came”.

Frank Ritter with Gesell Tobias, Correspondent from Voice of America

Producers Gesell Tobias and Irene Larraz

Gesell Tobias with Voice of America Associate Producer/Writer Irene Larraz. Frank Ritter's crew members Anna (center left) and Norma (far right)

I thank those individuals who made our event possible.

Thank you James Druckman, Pres. and CEO of the New York Design Center for generously contributing the gallery space at the NYDC.  To help with the installation I would also like to thank Leah Blank for coordinating my exhibit with other events at the New York Design Center.

We had a  silent auction  with a portion of the proceeds going to Tuesday’s Children (see my links at right).  It benefits those children who lost a parent on 9/11.

The companies and individuals who helped us support our auction are as follows:

• Rob of Absolute Fitness, NY,NY for two free fitness sessions
• Gloria Neumann of SunDecorFabrics.com   for her pillow contribution
• VladimirKaganCouture.com for their book contribution- Vladimir Kagan
• Winnie Jeng for her antique camera contribution
• Greg Ritter of  George Street New Bruswick, N.J.  for his vintage camera contribution
• Peter A. Arthur-Smith for contributing his book Smart Decisions
• Harriet Causin Esq. – for the preparation of a will.

For the news interviews on Sixty Minutes,  and other network programs the children who suffered tragic losses are able to meet and bond together.   For many of them they have made lasting friendships by participating in social events and a trip to Costa Rica as reported on a Sixty Minutes interview by Scott Pelley.

In addition to displaying architectural photography of Frank Ritter there were other contributors.  Rafik Cezanne and Mike Cohen of Hard Bargain contributed to the music of the evening which was enthusiastically appreciated by all who attended.

In a moving moment, Ray Birge who is a volunteer docent at the WTC relived some of his recollection of the day at the WTC.  We  were all deeply moved by his account of the events of that day.

Lastly, thank to those attendees who traveled into Manhattan over considerable distance to attend the architectural photograph reception of Frank Ritter.   On a very personal note a thank you to my mother who bravely made the trip up from Boynton Beach, Florida.  My Dad was with me in spirit and I hope he will also be well enough to attend my next event.

Like the 1960′s, it has been a time of social and political change. As an architectural photographer who was living and working in Manhattan at the time of the 9/11 tragedy, I did bear witness to some of the events of the day. As I speak to others who were  in NYC that day, many of the scars will never heal.   We can never forget those whose lives were tragically cut short.

Photographing the architecture each year (some of my photos have appeared  in the American Institute of Architecture publication e-oculus, as well as Syracuse University Magazine (page image below) and other publications.   I have had the satisfaction of photographing the early architectural models, through the process of construction. I now have the pleasure of seeing those designs as a reality.

Frank Ritter Photo published in Syracuse University Magazine (please click for link to Fall/Winter 2011 magazine)

Inspite of the many obstacles and opinions we have persevered.  On the tenth anniversary, WTC 1 has become a reality with its 1776 foot height, as planned by Daniel Liebeskind.  The reflecting pools so designed by Michael Arad are awe inspiring and for sure a great architectural engineering feat with the transformation of “the pit”. At least as significant as the architecture is the pools memorial to those who passed, in a most solemn and dignified way.

World Trade Center Construction (2004)

As a New York City architectural photographer, the ten years culminated in an exhibit of my documenting photographically the process of the great architectural transformation at Ground Zero and how we arrived at where we are at today.

Aug 21, 2011: WTC 1 nears completion. Normalcy returns to Battery Park location as residents enjoy a "pick-up" game of basketball.

 Halloween Party Photo Album

As an interior photographer  attending this event as a guest doing some pics with my little iPhone was kind of fun.

Fortunately,  I heard about the benefit from my friend Kim at Pierre Frey who was going as a flapper.  I called Barbara at the Alpha Project who kindly allowed me to purchase a ticket even though they were pretty filled to capacity.  Perfect, I will bring my iPhone camera and capture my designer friends, some who were incognito!

Plenty of drink, sliders, Asian-Italian food choices and multicolored and shaped desserts came nonstop.  Myself, with little will power, doubling up on my Lipitor might be necessary.

Arriving a bit late, sorry I missed JD chairman of NYDC; who I’ve wanted to thank personally for providing me recently with a wonderful venue for my NYDC 9/11 Tribute photo exhibit.   Happy I saw Leah and Alix and others from the NYDC Marketing Group who helped me with my 9/11 event.

Things were wild and crazy as the pics might demonstrate!   I enjoyed doing a couple of self portraits to capture a piece of my gray mohair sweater/ black PDN photo shirt with a silk screen pumpkin image.   Not to dwell on my self portrait photos, some with wine glass in hand, thanks to Kenneth and his catering company at NYDC for their good service!

If you have a name to add to a photo, any comments or don’t want your image included, please let me know!  Tweaking of photos has not been done and we will also be working on ID’s and captioning.

Photos may be printed for personal use.  For reproduction online or editorial use, please contact Frank Ritter Photography.

All photos copr. Frank Ritter, 2011.

Elton John

To the residents  in the Battery Park/Ground Zero area he is our best man!  Elton opened the Tribeca Film festival with a free open air concert.   To me the festival has become a symbol of the rebirth of the lower Manhattan especially after 9/11. For sure, the concert was great.  It opened with the premiere of a documentary of Leon Russell, Elton John’s mentor who he had not performed with in over thirty years. At the end Elton John said “that this is the best time in my life”. Aside from attending the Royals wedding this weekend Elton is raising a son with life partner, whom he acknowleged at the concert, along with his lyracist Bernie Taupin. Elton’s voice was a strong as ever.   He took over the stage like the consumate performer he has always been.

Elton John at the 10th Tribeca Film Festival

View of Harbor and World Financial Center.

The press at the Tribeca Film Festival

Tulips in the late afternoon at Battery Park.

Elton John waves goodbye.

Telephoto lens and camera balanced on table.

Photo Notes – I did the shoot with the help of my assistant Nina, who was kind enough to hold a spot for me and my camera.   I did not have room to set up a tripod.  I balanced my camera and lens with the screw in mount of  my telephoto lens on the cafe table where we sat. Shot with-  Canon 5d MarkII camera and the Canon  telephoto lens 70-200 IS f2.8 lens. Cable release also used.

I usually recommend shooting in natural light when the light is soft when you have muted colors (not washed out or over exposed).  I like to work in early morning or later before sunset in the “golden hours of the day”.  Shadows are softer and backgrounds do not become overexposed.

However on occasion when we have a rich highly saturated sky especially in the New York area we should take advantage of it.  Today was such a day as I looked West on 53^rd Street in New York City.  Past the St. Patrick Day revelers I captured the Citicorp building (with my I phone).

View#1 is of the Citicorp building exterior with a Cobra street light in the scene.

View#2  was an improved photo taken without the distracting  street light in the scene.

View#3  I liked the juxtaposition of the lipstick building (aka the Bernie Madoff headquarters) shape against the Citicorp Building.

All photos showed a front lite building with good detail against a pleasing background.

The photos were taken midday around 1:15p.m on the spur of the moment with my apple I phone 4.

View #1 - Copr: Frank Ritter

View #2 - Copr: Frank Ritter

View #3 - Copr: Frank Ritter

Beacon Gallery

I was attracted to the Orange glow of the heavily lacquered doors which were to me a reminder of my school colors at Syracuse University.  Daniel Aubry choose the orange color for their Feng Shui positive value.

I did not have my Canon 5d Mark II camera so I took a quick photo with my I phone.

Laura Relaxing

At the last minute my regular assistant was unexpectedly called out of town. Fortunately my fabulous clerical helper Laura said she would love to give me a hand. She did a great job in helping me photograph a beautiful space.  I did a quick shot of her relaxing after completing the assignment.

The project involved photographing an architectural interior.

The Galloways © Photo: Frank Ritter 2004

Over the past nine years I interviewed and photographed the Galloway’s as they recalled the attack and continued to live their lives blocks from Ground Zero.   I interviewed Mr. and Mrs. Galloway on most every 9/11 anniversary as they reflect on the past yearly events occurring in their local neighborhood (the WTC reconstruction) as well as events  in the USA that effected their lives.

To see more of the 9/11 event as witnessed and documented by Jeff Galloway you may also go to http://www.rundog.com/wtc/ph5.html