On this day 14 years ago, our lives were forever changed.

No matter what they take away from us, they cannot take away our spirit.

We will move forward, but we will never forget.

One of the many things photography has taught me is to be more flexible. Having a plan is usually ok, and sometimes necessary, but you have to be able to assess a situation and make adjustments based on what you are seeing when the moment arrives.

Today, for example, I had an idea in mind for this morning’s shot, but when I got to the waterfront and saw those pink clouds to the north, I had to change my plans, knowing the scene would be better captured from the location you see here.

Also, being flexible doesn’t mean you can just go into a situation unprepared and expect to just wing it. Preparation is crucial, and ironically it is often your planning and preparation that allows you to be flexible in the first place.

I couldn’t decide which photo to post today, so I had people vote on my Instagram and this was the one that won. It is a series of 25-second exposures.

There wasn’t any color from the sun this morning, but the clouds were magnificent. The sun projected white light which gave a lot of depth to the blue-gray clouds.

Each day is unique. This morning I was jolted out of sleep by a loud thunderstorm. When it was time for me to get up a little while later, it was still pouring outside, so I was contemplating taking a photo from my window. But when the time came that I would normally go outside, the rain had subsided to a tolerable level.

I was glad I went out because of the amazing clouds the storm had left behind. I was focused on shooting a huge break in the clouds near the city skyline when suddenly the sky to the left of me started to glow pink. I knew I had to incorporate that into my photo, so yes another panoramic shot for another expansive scene.

There was this single huge cloud formation arching over the city like a giant serpent on this hazy morning. Hints of reddish glow touched some of the clouds and also reflected off the buildings of lower Manhattan.