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

89th Street Community Garden 1985

My dad fought against Ed Koch who suddenly wanted to build townhouses on this abandoned lot, where a few industrious upper west siders had been growing tomatoes. The real estate values had finally begun to climb after many years of stagnation. My dad was able to convince the city to leave one sliver of the garden alone, and now the garden known for its flowers is a place of relaxation for many, with occasional plays and music being performed there.

©Matt Webercommunity-garden-upper-west-side Garden-2-1985 copy AGP-Garden-x2-1985 copy

Matt Weber (Street photography), Cars & Buses, Color, Harlem, Old New York

Harlem 1985

I just scanned this Kodachrome slide from ’85 and it is all about the old traffic light. Back when I took the picture these were already very rare. Besides this one in Harlem, there was one in central park and another one on Park Ave. Forgotten New York has more on these beautiful structures…

This image and most others can be licensed for documentary use and is also available as a signed print…

©Matt WeberHarlem-Wheelie-TrafficLight-1985 copy