WEEHAWKEN, NJ - OCTOBER 8: 432 Park Avenue casts a shadow as the sun rises behind buildings along Billionaires' Row in New York City on October 8, 2021 as seen from Weehawken, New Jersey. (Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
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Ten years ago this summer, Gary Hershorn was working as a news photographer documenting the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. “It was a summer filled with walking up and down the Hudson River in New Jersey, chasing the light, attempting to show off a New York City that was finally getting back to being itself; beautiful and majestic, a city of the world,” Gary remembers. “One World Trade Center was under construction; the skyline of Manhattan was about to change forever, once more. And I was at the center of it, making pictures to document a city, rising from its own ashes.”
Ten years on, he is a moon chaser. He is up before dawn to capture the sunrise and in the evening selecting his spot at dusk to photograph the sunset. He sees storms as opportunities for cloudscapes and lightning strikes. His camera is focused on New York City.
We asked Gary to share a selection of his images from 2021. “I hope when people look at my pictures, they feel a connection not only to the greatest city in the world, but to every human of this world, and the universe above and beyond,” he said.
JERSEY CITY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 11: The Tribute in Light and skyline of lower Manhattan are reflected in the top of a 9/11 monument on the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in New York City on September 11, 2021 as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey. NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 11: People walk through the “Way of Light” that forms inside the Oculus transit hub as the sun passes through the glass roof at 1028am, the time the second tower collapsed during the 9/11 attacks on September 11, 2021 in New York City.KEARNY, NJ – NOVEMBER 7: The sun rises behind the Empire State Building and Hudson Yards in New York City as a ground fog passes through Jersey City, New Jersey on November 7, 2021 as seen from Kearny, New Jersey. JERSEY CITY, NJ – NOVEMBER 11: The Empire State Building and One Vanderbilt are lit in red, white and blue behind the Statue of Liberty as they mark Veterans Day in New York City on November 11, 2021 as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey. WEEHAWKEN, NJ – AUGUST 19: The setting sun reflects off the windows of the Spiral and skyline of midtown Manhattan in New York City on August 19, 2021 as seen from Weehawken, New Jersey. NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 6: People walk through Grand Central Terminal as the sun rises through its east facade windows on November 6, 2021 in New York City. NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 1: A person walks across the Brooklyn Bridge during a snowstorm on February 1, 2021 in New York City. NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 7: People walk across Madison Avenue during a snowstorm on February 7, 2021 in New York City. NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 26:The Oculus transit hub at One World Trade Center is lit in rainbow colors marking Pride Weekend on June 26, 2021 in New York City. JERSEY CITY, NJ – MARCH 23: One World Trade Center casts a large shadow in fog passing through lower Manhattan as the sun rises in New York City on March 23, 2021 as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey.HOBOKEN, NJ – OCTOBER 19: The Hunter’s Moon rises at a size of 99.6 percent behind the EdgeNYC outdoor observation deck at Hudson Yards in New York City on October 19, 2021 as seen from Hoboken, New Jersey.JERSEY CITY, NJ – SEPTEMBER 13: Lightning strikes One World Trade Center in New York City during a thunderstrorm on September 13, 2021 as seen from Jersey City, New Jersey.HOBOKEN, NJ – AUGUST 10: A thunderstorm makes its way from New Jersey across the Hudson River to lower Manhattan in New York City on August 10, 2021 as seen from Hoboken, New Jersey. NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 9: The sun sets behind the Brooklyn Bridge and Statue of Liberty on November 9, 2021 in New York City.WEST ORANGE, NJ – SEPTEMBER 19: A 98.8 percent Harvest Moon rises behind midtown Manhattan, One Vanderbilt, the Chrysler Building, the Spiral, Hudson Yards and the Empire State Building in New York City on September 19, 2021 as seen from West Orange, New Jersey. NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 4: People cross 42nd Street as the sun sets on June 4, 2021 in New York City.WEST ORANGE, NJ – JANUARY 17: The sun rises behind the skyline of lower Manhattan and One World Trade Center in New York City on January 17, 2021 as seen from West Orange, New Jersey. WEEHAWKEN, NJ – NOVEMBER 1: The sun rises behind the Empire State Building and Hudson Yards in New York City on November 1, 2021 as seen from Weehawken, New Jersey.NEW YORK – OCTOBER 8: The view south to the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center from a mirrored room at the SummitOV observation deck at One Vanderbilt on October 8, 2021 in New York City.UNION CITY, NJ – JULY 4: Fireworks explode over the skyline of New York City and from the Empire State Building during the Macy’s Fireworks display on July 4, 2021 as seen from Union City, New Jersey.
Gary Hershorn is a Canadian photographer and picture editor based in New York City. His 40-year career began in 1979 at United Press International, in Toronto. He started working at Reuters in 1985, as Chief Photographer, Canada before moving to Washington, DC. in 1990. Gary performed many roles for Reuters that included, Senior Photographer, Picture Editor-Americas, and Global Sports Pictures Editor. He led major event coverage of the 9/11 attacks on the WTC, Hurricane Katrina, the Haiti Earthquake along with numerous sporting championships and entertainment events. Hershorn has covered as a photographer or editor: 17 Olympic Games, 24 Masters Golf tournaments, 24 Academy Awards, along with various Super Bowls, World Series, Stanley Cups, World Cups of Soccer, US Opens in tennis and golf, Wimbledon, Grammy Awards, and Emmy Awards.
Gary has a special relationship with W42nd Street. He shot one of his many famous pictures from next to his desk on the 19th floor of the Reuter’s headquarters as Sully’s plane floated along the Hudson River at the end of the street.
Gary’s book — New York Celestial — is a photographic celebration of America’s most famous city’s romantic visual love-fest with the sun and moon. These moving and simply glorious photographs include images of iconic New York landmarks such as the Statue of Liberty, Freedom Tower, Empire State Building, Chrysler Building, the Brooklyn Bridge, and more. www.newyorkcelestial.com
I was hooked immediatley and have welcomed each day to see another of Gary’s amazing photographs. I had the nerve to add some foolish, flippant critiques of my first impressions. Gary, being a gentleman and humble, never seemed bothered. I hope he knows my wit is better than my bite. I am so pleased to follow his career and share what a fan I am. Sunrise, sunset, please make my day, every day in 2022, Gary.
Magnificent 💕
These are some of the most glorious photos of NYC that I have ever seen! Bravo, Gary!
Fantastic photographs by a great photographer. We both worked for United Press International, UPI Newspictures during our careers.
I was hooked immediatley and have welcomed each day to see another of Gary’s amazing photographs. I had the nerve to add some foolish, flippant critiques of my first impressions. Gary, being a gentleman and humble, never seemed bothered. I hope he knows my wit is better than my bite. I am so pleased to follow his career and share what a fan I am. Sunrise, sunset, please make my day, every day in 2022, Gary.