In my mind I needed a symbol of today's technology, and I

The words of John Sexton, “In my mind I needed a symbol of today’s technology, and I realized that what I wanted to photograph was the Space Shuttle. And so that’s where Places of Power came into being,” resonate like a vision of humanity’s ascent, where art and innovation meet. Sexton speaks not merely of capturing an image, but of seeking a symbol—a tangible embodiment of the human spirit harnessed through technology. In the Space Shuttle, he found a vessel that carries both ambition and ingenuity, a testament to what mankind can achieve when intellect, courage, and vision unite.

The origin of this insight lies in Sexton’s life as a master photographer, a man attuned to the interplay between light, form, and meaning. He sought not just to document the Shuttle, but to create a meditation on human achievement. In doing so, he birthed the series Places of Power, photographs that transform steel, rubber, and fire into a poetic reflection of innovation. His work reminds us that technology, while often measured in utility or efficiency, also possesses a narrative power—it tells the story of human aspiration, daring, and discovery.

History offers many parallels. Consider Leonardo da Vinci, who in the fifteenth century sketched flying machines and mechanical wonders long before the age of powered flight. To him, machines were not only tools but symbols of human potential. Just as Sexton turned his lens to the Shuttle, da Vinci’s drawings captured the essence of invention, linking imagination with the tangible world. Both men understood that technology is not merely functional; it is emblematic of humanity’s reach toward the infinite.

Sexton’s words also speak to the profound interplay between art and science. The Space Shuttle, a marvel of engineering, becomes in his lens a symbol of grace, strength, and human vision. Through photography, he transforms engineering into poetry, motion into stillness, and achievement into reflection. In this way, technology is elevated, not diminished—it becomes a language through which we can understand our own aspirations and our place in the cosmos.

The meaning of his insight extends beyond photography. It is a reminder that symbols have power, that objects created by human hands—whether bridges, spacecraft, or towering libraries—carry meaning beyond their utility. When we recognize the emblematic nature of our creations, we honor the minds and hearts that conceived them. Technology is thus not only a tool but a mirror, reflecting the daring, intelligence, and dreams of those who bring it forth.

Consider also the real story of the Apollo 11 Moon landing, when a nation’s ingenuity lifted humankind beyond the Earth. Photographs of the Saturn V rocket, the lunar module, and the astronauts stepping onto the Moon’s surface became symbols of human courage and intellect, immortalized not in blueprints, but in imagery that inspired generations. Sexton’s vision follows in this tradition, capturing the Shuttle not only as machinery, but as an emblem of our collective striving.

The lesson is clear: seek the symbols in your own life, those tangible expressions of ambition, courage, and progress. Look at the world with a lens that perceives both function and meaning. Whether in art, science, or daily endeavor, recognize the potential for your creations to embody something greater than their immediate purpose. Technology, in this light, is sacred—it is both a tool and a testament.

Practical action is within reach. Observe the achievements around you, whether monumental or modest, and reflect upon what they signify. Create, record, and celebrate those symbols through photography, writing, or conversation. Embrace technology not merely as a utility, but as a canvas for human vision. In doing so, as Sexton demonstrates, we transform the material world into a realm of inspiration, ensuring that the story of human ambition continues to resonate across generations.