'Falling Man' Photographer Richard Drew's 9/11 Photography (PHOTOS)

Richard Drew's so-called 'Falling Man' image, which depicted a man jumping to his death from North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, has been viewed from many angles. It was first circulated as a piece of photojournalism, then quietly repressed as some commentators found it too painful to address, and finally accepted as a piece of American photographic history.

But for all the perspectives applied to it, the photo, which has now inspired a film, a book and a particularly outstanding essay, was not the only shot Drew took that day.

In the slideshow below, we present a selection of Drew's photography from the September 11 attacks and the relief efforts that followed. He captures various aspects of the event, framing the actual attacks, the evacuees, the fire department and, of course, the victims. Not all of the shots are as serendipitously composed as "Falling Man," but all display a calmness and even-handedness that can perhaps be attributed to Drew's decades of work as an AP photographer. For some of Drew's own perspectives on the attacks and his documentation of them, see this interview.

Comments

[Cascadienne]

10:04 PM on 09/12/2011

I felt ill to the point of nausea and panic when I saw the photo then. Yup, same reaction now. Three of my immediate family members were in Manhattan and saw one of the planes hit. We had no communication for hours. I skipped work as a government official that day and watched the news for many hours straight. Seared into my brain, into my heart.

[Mary Karius]

11:12 AM on 09/13/2011

I've never seen that photo before, I am beyond affected. No words can communicate...

[rexsolomon]

04:23 PM on 09/10/2011

They no longer have to jump. Here is the solution:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csa459eSZr8

[Aleksandrs Nojauta]

11:42 AM on 09/10/2011

Ужасно смотреть на падающих людей с высоты!

[BlueRoseofTexas]

10:32 AM on 09/12/2011

Easly for you to say!

[TMariner]

11:27 AM on 09/10/2011

We are supposed to look at that photo and "get over it" and "get on with our lives"?

The first attack on our mainland since 1812.

To any country so attacked there is no response that is too large or too prolonged.

[almchrl13]

07:14 AM on 09/10/2011

Johnathan Briley, is the falling mane's name.

[redheadwoman]

06:37 PM on 09/11/2011

Is it correct that he was a waiter at the Windows on the World restaurant on the top floor?

[leskataus]

02:05 AM on 09/12/2011

He actually worked as a sound technician there.

[almchrl13]

07:07 AM on 09/10/2011

'Falling man' has been identified.
But one must go to another article to find his name.
Should have included here.

[StrawHat]

02:12 AM on 09/10/2011

Photojournalism isn't supposed to be pretty. It's supposed to inform, make us think, record history as it happens, expose wrongs that need righting and rights that need defending.

But advertising flashing right next to it? Really? Surely there are better places for ads.

[framava]

12:13 AM on 09/13/2011

Exactly.

[Zaida Adams]

07:55 PM on 09/09/2011

I remember that devastasting photo... I hope he passed before he hit the ground.

[WriterGirl]

03:52 PM on 09/09/2011

These pictures are history, but are so painful to look at... it's not just the loss of life that day, horrible as it was, it's also the helplessness everyone felt while events unfolded. I can't look at these pictures without reliving that helplessness.

[framava]

12:11 AM on 09/13/2011

Exactly.

[ILuvFla]

09:11 AM on 09/09/2011

We gave blood that day. It took hours because there were so many people. I kept thinking...remember the feelings YESTERDAY because this country will never feel the same again. Sadly, I was correct.

[SlowBurn]

01:35 AM on 09/09/2011

If I ever have to live or work in a skyscraper, I am getting myself a parachute. Will it ever be possible to view these photos without them eliciting a strong emotional response? I still get chills.

[xfrizzlefrazzlex]

07:08 PM on 09/08/2011

No matter whose fault it was on that day, it was a tremendous tragedy & something that America will never forget. I always think the people who ended up falling out of those windows. Whether they jumped or got pushed out or fell out or whatever, it must have been a horrible 10 or 12 seconds until they hit the ground. What a horrible way to have to die.

[scarymof1]

10:08 AM on 09/08/2011

First I'd like to say R.I.P. to those whose lives were taken on this day and thereafter..my opinion on this is probably unreal to most but realistic to others. Sad and needless to say but..This particular day was planned because it is written (KJV), theres No Bin Laden nor Sudam or "Muslim" other to blame..it is the Government! Bush, Clinton, Obama etc. These are the Terrorists..Do Your Math People! Freedom? Theres No Freedom..it's All An illusion!!

[nsymphony]

09:33 AM on 09/08/2011

again i can only say if you really want to know what happened that day then read Dr Judy Wood's book "Where did the towers go?" and you will learn the truth of what the evidence shows.

[joe the communist]

12:10 AM on 09/10/2011

dr. judy wood has the "theory" the towers were destroyed by laser beams. your junk science isn't fooling anyone anymore. that train left the station and it ain't ever coming back...

[StrawHat]

02:07 AM on 09/10/2011

You have to admit, they are relentless, aren't they?

Ten years and they're still spouting their nonsense to all and sundry. That's tenacity.

[nsymphony]

09:30 AM on 09/08/2011

just read the book and you will see the error of your thinking I did not say that the planes did not hit the building but they did not destroy the buildings as the evidence shows read the book if you have the guts to learn what really happened

[sunshineloft]

02:00 PM on 09/08/2011

your a fool
and refuse to see the facts just blame bush for everything right. get over it he was a great president

[Just a passerby]

01:05 PM on 09/09/2011

No he wasn't. He and his cronies did terrible damage to this country.

[Cael]

04:13 PM on 09/09/2011

Great president? He is a war criminal that should be in jail for the rest of his life.