All images courtesy of ICP
Photos of dead mobsters lying prone, surrounded by articles of clothing and police chalk markings. The crime scene, the murder as art.
Equal parts photographer and old-school sleuth Arthur “Weegee” Fellig had a otherworldly guidance that lead him straight to fresh crime scenes, like the plastic thing on a Ouija board. Working the streets of New York City in the 1930s and 40s, he consorted with both the good guys and the bad guys, as he documented crime and street life in his neighborhood.
Ultimately, Weegee was an amateur photographer with a killer eye for detail and an interest in the macabre…a darkroom guy with a quirky passion AND penchant for making connections with shady characters. In this way, this work should be seen as uplifting and accessible. Romantic? Creepy? Your call on that, but here’s what I know…
The kicker (and if I could should it from the mountaintop right now, I would…) = There is all the merit in the world in our personal quirks, our obsessions, our internal oddities. A a photograph is all about the story and the image and less to do with anything else – including technical know how. It’s having a point of view that matters. Celebrate YOUR viewpoint, quit looking over your shoulder. If Weegee can photograph dead mobsters, then you can find something in you that is legitimately meaninful, moving, and powerful. So what’s yours?
Click through the gallery above for samples of Weegee’s work to see what I mean. And while you’re at it, if you have a chance, check out these legendary, decades-old black-and-white frames and others that are on display NOW at the International Center for Photography in New York starting now. Also check out his books of prints – found at just about any bookstore with a decent photography section or here at Amazon.
I adora WeeGee’s work.
I was just listening to a story on NPR about Weegee the past weekend. Glad to read this; it reminded me to look at some of his work.
Great point, Chase.
Far too often many who are new to photography are drawn to the new offerings from Japan rather than look at the references you made or a good book by Avedon or Penn.
Great Stuff CJ! Can’t get enough Weeggee? Check out my Photoblog post my good people!
http://anthonylukephotography.blogspot.com/2011/04/weegee-og-street-photographer.html
Joe Pesci portrays a Weegee like character in http://movies.netflix.com/WiMovie/The_Public_Eye/70181830?trkid=496624 I’ve had this in my instant queue. Need to watch it.
Weegee rocks.
And shouldn’t that “…otherworldly guidance…” be “…otherworldly guidance and a police radio…”.
Still whatever it takes. Whenever I think of 40s NYC, in my head I see the sorts of images that World’s Famous Weegee and the somewhat less famous Vivian Maier generated.
Gotta say though, not so keen on his surreal melted lense stuff.
Yes. Love vivian maier too… great point/addition!
Wow! This was an incredible article! Just linked from Facebook =)
How do you think this applies to the line between photography and graphic art, or even digital painting?
Glad you highlighted Weegee on your post. I had a chance to check out the exhibition last week and it was quite compelling.
Not to split hairs, but I’m surprised, Chase, you say he was an amateur photographer – he was a freelance photojournalist that had his images published by The Sun NY Post, NY Daily News and others. He wasn’t just a cat with a camera taking snappies. This is what he did. “Murder is my business” he said…and he did it (news photography) well. Here he talks about his craft:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=iP4Y_fAvOgY
“The same camera that photographs a murder scene can photograph a big society affair.” So true.
Awe! Here is the quote i was referencing!
“A a photograph is all about the story and the image and less to do with anything else – including technical know how. It’s having a point of view that matters.”
Hi Chase,
Hope you Kate, Scott and the gang are well.
My good friend Rachel Seed has been curating this show.
You make a really good point about ‘success being the quirk’ in your work.
As I have said ‘Shoot what you Love, Love what you shoot’ after all part of the human condition is we all love pretty diverse things.
Warm Regards
Drew
Chase,
I bummed that I missed your post about Weegee. My favorite quote by Mr Fellig is:
“To me a photograph is a page from life, and that being the case, it must be real.” — from ‘Naked City’ (1945).
Doesn’t that just say it all?
Matt
certainly like your web-site however you have to test the spelling on several of your posts. Several of them are rife with spelling problems and I in finding it very troublesome to inform the truth then again I will certainly come again again.
Super possibilities as usually to use for ourselves . See for yourself and see what it simple .
We possess previously recently been hunting to locate a source regarding wholesale precious metal. Does an individual have experience?
F*ckinˇ¦ tremendous things here. Iˇ¦m very happy to look your post. Thank you so much and i’m having a look ahead to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?
Methods pertaining to Unlock Iphone 4 grms Any person who deals with an iPhone will need to have to usually are disclosed in your case and so they needs unlock apple iphone 4g grms suggestions, generally concerning the distinctive software products which is often together risk-free. Yet, it is fairly disheartening in an effort to open people’s i smartphone if you won’t get the best more recent apple iphone4 detaching the actual shut inside usage. Web site associated with classified ads all around you, in spite on this, without possessing precise recognizing available, totally ensnared, therefore many options several massive income about almost nothing. korvax
Good blog close friend, My spouse and i take a seat on the internet all day long examining on stuff. I actually on not too long ago and so i don’t have anything else to accomplish. I actually trained the best way to save last week and so i will probably take note of this particular. Appreciate the good study.
Great blog site, I have only bookmarked this
Very interesting details you have observed , appreciate it for putting up. “Whatever one man is capable of conceiving, other men will be able to achieve.” by Jules Verne.
Magnificent goods from you, man. I’ve understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely magnificent. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still take care of to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read much more from you. This is actually a terrific website.