Matt Weber (Street photography), Men of New York, Times Square

“Mexico City 1968”

I was ten when Tommy Smith and John Carlos raised their fists on the podium at the ’68 Olympics. There was no way I could understand fully what those gestures meant as a kid. Just like the image of the girl placing a flower in the soldier’s rifle, the raised fists at Mexico City still are ingrained in my memory as symbols of a time when people stood up for what they believed in, and made a difference. People are still trying today, but the media gives such protest very little coverage, and sometimes it seems hopeless. This photo is simply paying homage to a very special Olympic moment worth remembering…

 

©Matt Weber

Matt Weber (Street photography), Old New York, Times Square

“Calling Home” Times Square-42d Street 1989

One thing which bothers me after just finding this picture which was buried in my archives for so many years is, that it doesn’t have critical focus. When I had the time or was able to, I would turn off my engine before shooting at night, since I would normally be shooting at 1/60th of a second. My taxi’s 8 cylinders created enough vibration to make nocturnal shooting difficult and I was in the middle of 42d Street when I took this one. I suppose there are computer programs I know nothing of which could sharpen the edges and make up for the original softness of this frame, but this is not something I will try and do. I doubt I’ll lose sleep over this image as I have over other blown shots, but I still have to complain about something from time to time…

©Matt Weber

Matt Weber (Street photography), Old New York, signs, Times Square

“Pussycat Pussycat, I Love You” Times Square 1987

I use to take a lot of photos early in the morning on the weekends when the streets were quiet. I Just found this negative after a quarter of a century and I think there’s a possibility you will want to purchase a print of this onetime porn palace in its final days.. If so, I can offer 20×30″ and 30×40″ prints at surprisingly affordable prices. 95% of my other Black & White picture can also be purchased.

 

©Matt Weber