Thomas Hopker

Thomas Hoepker

The images above are the image that Thomas Hoepker captured of 9/11 the main image that cause all of this constroversy was the thid image down. 

In the Image That Thomas Hoepker captured back in 2001, are a group of New Yorkers sat gracefully chatting in the sun in Brooklyn behind them in the background across the brilliant blue water, can be seen a massive and terrible black smoke rising from the lower Manhattan. This particular place is where the two towers were struck by a hijacked airline that very morning.

Ten years on after the event had took place, the image that Hoepker captured is still seen as the most iconic image of 9/11 even though the history behind the event is still seen strange and torturous.

Hoepker took the image just as the strike of the plain hit the building. Even taking this into consideration, he did not however publish the image he captured of the event until the five year anniversary occurred. Were as most press photographers had there image published the same day it happen so it could be broadcasted to the world showing everyone what was going on.

When the image was finally published it caused a massive and instant controversy. Frank Rich a critic wrote in the New York Times about the image and what his point of view was on the image. He stated “The image undeniably troubling picture an allegory of American’s failure”.

Rich’s view an opinion on the image was instantly disputed. Walter Siper, identified himself as the guy in glass or shades in the right of the image.

He stated that they were not sunbathing and having a relaxing time at the waterside, he was in fact in a state of shock and disbelief. He also complained the image he was in was not taking with there consent and permission when Hoepker capture them.

Hoepker rebelled at what had been said and stated that you can’t photograph feeling. Even when the image was published and people spoke about his misdoing for not ask permission to photograph them, it is still seen as the most iconic and defining image of that tragic day.

It has also since that day that photographers, amateurs or professionals, get stopped in the street and asked what they are doing as it is seen upon that a person might take an image that can once again be seen as the defining moment for an event but for some it can be seen as politically upsetting.