NYC Bird of Paradise

Oculus Station & One World Trade Center at NYC.

As I strolled through the bustling streets of New York City, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty and complexity of its architectural wonders. My mission was to find the perfect vantage point to capture the city's iconic structures, hoping to tell a meaningful story through a unique perspective.

A serene mood wrapped the city on this calm, cloudy October Sunday as the Sun lazily rose over the New York skyline.

Outside the Oculus Station, the streets were quiet after a drizzly day, with fewer pedestrians than usual. The wet concrete paths reflected the hazy grey sky while the soft, damp pavement muffled the sound of my footsteps. The wind carried a subtle scent of freshly cooked breakfast, adding a homely touch to the peaceful atmosphere.

In the distance, the fading sound of a helicopter barely disrupted the tranquil silence, cutting through the mist and contrasting with the stillness of the surroundings. This moment perfectly reflected the unique and ever-changing character of the city, showcasing the beauty of a quiet and serene New York City morning. The day's mood gave me the perfect mindset to hunt for the image I had been pursuing.

Standing at the corner in front of the Oculus station, I glanced up at the sky and was struck by the view resembling a Bird of Paradise flower.

I raised my camera, aimed it at the capricious mirage, and framed the One World Trade Center between the spines of the Oculus Station, capturing this whimsical similarity in a frozen moment.

The Bird of Paradise flower has a distinctive arrangement of elements that can be visually dissected into three groups: a vertical set of sepals, the center petal (composed of two fused into one), and a lower horizontal set of bracts. In analogy, we can find a similar arrangement in this image: the Oculus' right set of spines, the One World Trade Center, and the Oculus's left set of spines.

Just like the central element of the flower, where the two petals are fused into one, the One World Trade Center stands strong and resilient, honoring the two towers lost in the 9/11 attacks.

The 9/11 memorial serves as a beacon of hope and a symbol of the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity, framing the central element, the One World Trade Center, and creating a visually stunning and cohesive sight.

Just like the Bird of Paradise flower, the resulting image is a complex and intricate visual feast, with each element contributing to the overall beauty and impact of the photograph. Together, they symbolize the beauty of hope, resilience, and the indomitable human spirit.