NOTICEBOARD

TWIN TOWERS RISE AGAIN

Police photographer Neil Kitson could not believe his eyes on a recent trip to New York. The horrific events of 9/11 changed the New York skyline forever but when the West Yorkshire Police photographer went to commemorate the eighth anniversary of the terror attacks, The Twin Towers made an eerie return.

Mr Kitson was photographing the annual Tribute in Light memorial at Ground Zero when this image was captured - and it was severe weather conditions that temporarily brought the towers back to life.

"Normally the lights are more cylinder-like" said Mr Kitson, a photographer with the force for 20 years. "But because it was raining heavily and there were gale force winds on the night, the wind must have whipped up the clouds and made them look rectangular. "It just looked so real, I couldn't believe it. "It was a dog walker who suddenly shouted, 'Look, the Twin Towers are back', so I just got my camera out and started snapping away".

After he returned from his six-day trip, Mr Kitson sent the pictures to Getty Images only to be told by its New York office that they looked too fake and "too Photoshopped". After having to send the original shots to Getty to prove they were legitimate and with assistance from the London office, the images were finally accepted and will now be permanently marketed by Getty.

Mr Kitson said: "It was so frustrating that they didn't believe me. I thought it was strange that none of the papers the following day had picked up on it so I thought I'd take advantage".

One of his images is now being used to create a postcard which will be sold in the New York Police Department Museum shop. All other proceeds made from his images with Getty will be given to the British Memorial Garden Trust at Hanover Square, New York.


From an article in the Yorkshire Post newspaper, 20 October 2009. By Joanne Ginley.