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

Columbus Ave. 2006

All of us “Eisenhower Babies” are getting old. Soon we’ll be like him. This guy probably served in WW II and now has to navigate through a gauntlet of punks just to go shopping. How do I know they are punks? Every third word that they utter is NIGGER. Most of them aren’t even black and it’s their favorite word by miles. I know that I didn’t grow up in Washington Heights where many of them live, but 40 years ago, this neighborhood wasn’t the yuppy filled place that is now. We knew enough about history not to throw around the “N” word…I’d hope that gangster culture as attractive as it for the young ones of today, gives way to a more peaceful and less angry attitude…

All Photos © Matt Weber

Matt Weber (Street photography), Color, Men of New York, Uncategorized

“Smoke while you can” 2010

I could go on a long diatribe about how much I despise the new smoking law that Mayor Bloomberg is about to impose on New Yorkers, but I won’t. He may have changed the law to get re-elected a third time, but the people spoke, and he’s our mayor. You get what you vote for. I’d like to see a park ranger try to issue a $50+ ticket to these two fellas…

All Photos © Matt Weber

Matt Weber (Street photography), Color, Men of New York, Portraits, Subway

“Not Just Another Suit” 2010

Here’s a fellow who has definitely arrived and wants to make sure you know. He might be a tough guy who has had some success on Wall Street. Then again considering he got on the train a couple of blocks from police headquarters, he might have a gold shield to go with his gold watch and chain…He didn’t like me very much…I can’t blame him.

All Photos © Matt Weber

Matt Weber (Street photography), Color, Men of New York

“Black Jew” 2010

Considering how hard it must be for him sometimes, you’d think the white guys at B& H would treat him like a celebrity. He seemed to be getting the cold shoulder while I was there. I don’t like any fundamental religions, but I guess there’s a good reason for everything they do…The black Jews at Times Square are a different story. They are very old testament, fire breathing, hell promoting, and angry at all white people. They are generally a pain in the butt to try and have a simple conversation with…

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

Matt Weber (Street photography), 9/11 Related, Men of New York, Portraits, Subway

Subway “9/11 Hero” 2005

There are all sorts of heroes in this world. There are the athletes that some of us root for as kids or even worse, still do as adults. Then there are the underpaid nurses who care for us when we get old, barely making ends meet, as they meet our rear ends with a towel…This fellow spent time at ground zero, and whether or not he had to deal with body parts, he surely had to breath those noxious fumes which lingered for several months. The smell of all the metal, plastics and who knows what burning, was so vile that breathing it on a daily basis, could make even the toughest people sick. His eyes seemed to have seen the worst of it, and I think he gave a lot more than most of us did after the terrible massacre on 9/11…making him a true hero.

All Photos © Matt Weber