While the other Monochromia photographers had been to see the 9/11 Memorial, it was the first time for me.  It’s a moving experience,  and despite the beauty of the day and the restoration of the site, I couldn’t help but think of that terrible tragedy 15 years ago.

It was daunting to attempt to photograph this space.  I imagine that I am not the only one who has been intimidated.

The World Trade Center Site has been transformed into the Museum and Memorial, One World Trade Center, the One World Observatory, and the Transportation Hub.  The centerpiece of the Transportation Hub is the Oculus, which in architectural terms means a circular opening, especially one at the apex of a dome.  The Oculus “represents the most integrated network of underground pedestrian connections in New York City”.

The inside of the Oculus is as stunning as the outside.

In fact, I have a whole folder of interior images to work through.  Please visit Monochromia to see one of Joe’s interior images.

Back on the outside, Stacy and I were taken aback by the people who wanted to use the 9/11 Memorial as the backdrop for their selfies.

As it is, I didn’t even want to put my watermark on images of the Memorial site.  The almost 3000 names are the only names needed in these images.

It is a place for somber reflection and remembrance … not selfies.