Covering 9/11 with Ashley Gilbertson
One day (September 11th). One event (Tenth Anniversary Memorial). One photographer (@ashgilbertson).
A month ago, I had the privilege of interviewing photographer Ashley Gilbertson for an article about war correspondents. At the time, he was looking for someone to assist on an upcoming assignment, I offered to lend Ashley two hands, nine hours and some torrid biking trips across town. Together, we managed to cover the 10th anniversary memorial ceremony of September 11, 2001.
Gilbertson, who has been covering the 9/11 memorial for the last few years, was on assignment taking portraits of family members and those personally affected by the trauma of the terrorist attack.You won't get comfortable with a photo shoot unless you get there early.
As it was such a emotionally charged event, potential security threats throughout the week were taken seriously. The police presence throughout Manhattan was obvious.
- After queuing with a slew of other journalists and photographers behind police fences on Broadway, Ashley and I set off to find portrait subjects
- Lesson One: There is a particular manner of speech, of introduction, that can break the awkward silences with strangers. Ashley Gilbertson knows it. Eye contact, honest emotion and a humble request make these personal moments between subjects and photographer powerful.
Sometimes everyone stops to take notice.
In New York, it doesn't take long to find "Brothers-In-Arms." This time, in the form of Peter Agtmael, a Magnum photographer.
- Lesson Two: Refuel with coffee/intravenous caffeine --- Often.
For the photographer: It matters that you say you love it. It matters more if you honestly do.
Lesson Three: You have to bust your ass on this gig. If you aren't scanning for subjects, writing down information, moving content cross-town for processing, prodding your film developers to work faster, you aren't working. Full stop.
Official Stats for the day: 28 miles by bike.
- Lesson Four: Deadlines need to be met. Even if you have to run down pedestrians on your bike.
- Lesson Five: Adrenaline - incited and amplified by caffeine - is a potent stimulant. It may be the only thing that can keep the eyes open and wits clear(-ish).
Lesson Six: It is as much art as it is news. Ashley prefers to shoot on film despite the hassle of developing, scanning and transferring the content. "I make this harder on myself," he said, while staring at the Imacon scanner that afternoon, but he does so because it is the look of film that appeals to him.
For a photographer, the quality and feel of an image is analogous to word choice and cadence for the writer. How you present something can be as important as what it is you are presenting.
