"Satan In The Smoke? A Photojournalist's 9/11 Story"

BROOKLYN, N.Y., Sept. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The photograph by Mark D. Phillips shot moments after the second plane struck the World Trade Center captured the face of Satan – or did it?

Readers called their hometown newspapers by the hundreds after the picture appeared on front pages across the country. What was the face in the smoke billowing from the South Tower?

Today, September 12, 2011, marks the tenth anniversary of the day the image was first published. In 10 years, viewers sent over 25,000 email messages sharing their thoughts on the meaning of the face in the smoke.

"Satan In The Smoke? A Photojournalist's 9/11 Story" is Phillips' first person narrative of the media frenzy created by his image.

Distributed on a one-time basis by The Associated Press, the photograph was one of the first delivered to newspapers across the world. Its usage was widespread and the reaction was immediate. In another strange twist, none of those involved in the transmission (including the photographer) noticed the strange apparition in the smoke. But newspaper readers saw it immediately, sending thousands of emails to the photographer asking, "Is It Real?"

Even his peers in the Photojournalism industry questioned the validity of the image. Over the next several months, Phillips found himself defending a reputation built over twenty years as a news photographer. Digital imaging was coming to fruition and destroying the career that he truly loved.

Phillips had helped develop the digital technology that was now overwhelming the industry. His story tells of the rapid digital changes of the 1990s and how it reached total domination in 2011. More images were taken of the 9/11 attacks then of any previous event. Anyone with a camera was an iReporter; it was the end of photojournalism as we knew it.

The debate has continued since 9/11 as to what the image really shows. Is it just "light and smoke" as the pundits say, or is it the "face of pure evil" as the public believes?

Phillips' book recounts the arguments presented in over 20,000 email messages. The experience brought religion to the forefront in a way that was difficult for Phillips to handle.

"Satan In The Smoke? A Photojournalist's 9/11 Story" is available for Kindle, Nook and iPad from http://www.markdphillips.com and Amazon Books.

For more information visit:

Markdphillips.com
SatanintheSmoke.com

To contact for interviews:

South Brooklyn Internet
646-226-4680
[email protected] or [email protected]

SOURCE South Brooklyn Internet