Jay Maisel’s Lens on the Twin Towers: A Photographer’s Legacy

Renowned New York photographer Jay Maisel, who passed away last month at 95, spent decades capturing the World Trade Center in his work. His images, taken from the early 1970s through the tragic day of September 11, 2001, offer a unique visual narrative of the towers’ presence in the city’s skyline and in the collective imagination.

Early Encounters with the Twin Towers

Maisel’s first photographs of the towers were taken in the 1970s, a time when the buildings were still symbols of modern ambition. He described the towers as “a kind of cathedral of steel and glass” that seemed to reach for the heavens. Over the years, he returned to the site repeatedly, each time capturing a new angle, light, or mood. His work became a visual archive of the towers’ evolution—from construction to their peak as icons of New York’s skyline.

The 9/11 Moment Through a Photographer’s Eye

On the morning of September 11, Maisel was on the street, camera in hand, as the world watched the towers collapse. In a 2011 Sunday Morning interview with CBS News correspondent Richard Schlesinger, he reflected on the emotional weight of that day. He spoke of the towers’ “hold on the imagination” and how their destruction felt like a loss of a shared cultural landmark. The interview captured his calm, reflective tone, offering viewers a rare glimpse of a photographer’s perspective on a national tragedy.

Legacy and Impact on Visual Storytelling

Maisel’s extensive body of work on the Twin Towers has become a touchstone for photographers and historians alike. His images are studied for their composition, use of light, and the way they convey the towers’ grandeur. Beyond the technical aspects, his photographs serve as a testament to the towers’ role in shaping New York’s identity and the collective memory of its residents.

Remembering a Visionary

Jay Maisel’s passing marks the end of an era for New York photography. His legacy lives on through his images, which continue to inspire new generations of photographers to look beyond the surface and capture the essence of the places they love. His work reminds us that a single lens can preserve history, evoke emotion, and keep a city’s spirit alive.

Source: CBS News – Look back: Jay Maisel on photographing the Twin Towers

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