Matt Weber (Street photography), homeless, Kids & Teens, Old New York

Brooklyn 1990

As I continue to search my older negatives, the overall feeling I get from the New York of twenty years ago is pretty depressing. This might be one of the better portraits I’ve done. It’s a sad one. Not as bad as the images we’ve all seen from third world countries, but this is New York and a twelve year old boy shouldn’t be out late at night training to become a squeegee man…

 

Street Photography © Matt Weber

Matt Weber (Street photography), homeless

NYC 1986

Old image of the city which seemed to be on the verge of disaster. The city of today is different yet also makes me feel nervous. You have all the wealthy people who not only survived the ’80s but thrived, and in the past two years, a whole new population of people holding empty coffee cups trying to “Live” in one of Manhattan’s most desirable neighborhoods. Watching happy dads and their kids walking by the homeless with $200 Christmas trees, has always left me feeling terrible…Same as it ever was.

All Photos © Matt Weber

Matt Weber (Street photography), homeless, Subway

Subway Homeless NYC 2007

I know that photos like this one are open to criticism. I like this picture. One can hate the idea of photographing the poor and I understand their point of view. I had to decide whether or not this was OK a long time ago. I know that the odds are against the picture ever making a difference in the real world, so I won’t fool myself into thinking that I am doing any type of service, by exposing how tough life is to some people. There are plenty of things that people rationalize doing, each and very day. I photograph the city and ALL of its inhabitants. I have never taken a picture of homeless person reaching into a garbage can and that doesn’t mean I should get a medal. I just draw the line there and try and work with some compassion. I do throw all of that away at times when faced with what seems like a great shot. If later I discover that I have crossed the line of decency, then I can still take the negative and cut it up into pieces. I’ve only had to do that a few times and I’d love to keep the overzealous side of me under control, forever…

All Photos © Matt Weber

Matt Weber (Street photography), homeless, Men of New York, Old New York

“The Summer of ’88”

I have a pal who swears this summer will be brutally hot. Of course he’s not a meteorologist but if he’s right, nobody suffers a heatwave more than the homeless (and the elderly) Back in the old days, hydrants were open all over the city and at least if you had a bar of soap you could stay somewhat clean. The kids were happy too. These days the sprinklers are on, but they pale compared to the hydrant’s at full blast. I’m not for wasting water, but I’ve noticed that in some parks, the water fountains are becoming scarce. Not everyone can drop a two spot on a bottle of Poland Spring…

All Photos © Matt Weber