Matt Weber (Street photography), 9/11 Related

September 11th 2001

Having just returned home on that dreadful morning, I did what anyone would do, and turned on the TV. George W Bush (or Chimpy as many later called him) was coming into form, after a very feeble start. I was shocked by the SEVEN minutes as much as anybody. I had hoped that “The Seven Minutes” would remain a novel by Irving Wallace and not this new footnote in American history. People were either shocked by how inept Bush was, or if they’d voted for him, they gave him a pass, saying he was under incredible pressure. Either way, this was the beginning of “A Brave New World” and the results of the massacre that morning will be felt for a very long time…

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