“Flats To Let” South Bronx 1987 (New Scan)

I finally found this negative and rescanned this image which has always been one of my better “Urban Blight” pictures…

©Matt Weber

Published by Matt Weber

Photographing NYC for 25 years, six of them while driving a New York City taxi. Trying very hard to capture the city as life unfolds, meaning I never stage any of my photos! Also I am a close confidant of the immortal Dave Beckerman, (quintessential NYC photographer) and owner of the first photography blog in the known universe. View all posts by Matt Weber

4 thoughts on ““Flats To Let” South Bronx 1987 (New Scan)”

greg says:

September 8, 2012 at 10:58 am

This is one of those images where you literally have to see it to believe it.

I’ve watched some video footage on YouTube that reveals the decay of the city during the 70s & 80s, but your shot captures it very well with the man sitting on the stoop as comfortably as if it were the front porch to his home sweet home. We can only imagine what was running through his mind.

Was it relatively safe walking through these neighborhoods with a camera, Matt?

A blog I check out recently posted a documentary about third avenue in 1980. Definitely the less glamorous side of NYC back in the day, although I’m sure there are still similar situations today that are less apparent to the average tourist. If you haven’t already seen it:

http://www.snagfilms.com/films/title/third_avenue_only_the_strong_survive

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mostlymonochrome says:

September 8, 2012 at 1:17 pm

The man on the porch really adds a lot to it because otherwise it looks terrible but doesn’t give the impression of habitation. Nice shot.

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phrenzel says:

September 9, 2012 at 6:34 am

amazing social documentary capture. Wonder what is there now?

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1. Matt Weber says:
  
  September 9, 2012 at 9:25 am
  
  Thanks all…When I think of how I Casually stopped my cab and shot only one frame, I remember how typical scenes like this were back then…
  
  Reply