Matt Weber (Street photography), Subway, Women of New York

“Broadway Local” 2005

There is a complaint that “Street Photography” doesn’t ask enough questions and only provides answers. I disagree. I have looked at this picture for several years and all I can conclude is that the beautiful young lady on the right is probably a very dedicated Christian or Catholic. I also know that she was headed either uptown or downtown on the I.R.T. I have no idea about anything else. The woman on her left could be her mom, but could also be her step mother or an aunt. Does her father play a large role in her life? Did he leave the woman on the left? Is the young woman a virgin. (like her homegirl Mary?) Is there a chance she’s already pregnant? Is she happy? Has she found a college yet, or did she drop out of school? Does she have a dog? A cat? A hamster?

Most of the people in my photos are open to a variety of questions and I never know anything for sure, other than what they look like and what they are wearing.  I wonder what answers my pictures provide. I also prefer letting my mind wander and questioning what I see. I have never felt a shortage of curiosity when looking at photos taken “In the real world” Staged photography, on the other hand is extremely easy for me to decipher. I can usually read the artists intent quickly, and find it very boring…Of course with a tenth grade education, my point of view is probably dubious at best, and easy to dismiss. If only I had an MBA in fine arts, I’d be able to see things more clearly…

Matt Weber (Street photography), signs, Women of New York

NYC 2005

I just rescanned this image and it’s better than the last scan. I suppose I shouldn’t sequence my images in such an obvious way, but that’s always been one of my faults. One of “Street Photography’s” biggest assets is that there is usually truth in each picture. I’ve never met a “Street Photographer” who would stage his or her images. Of course some may stoop that low, but that is their business and they have to live with their forgeries. This picture as it had once been suggested, was not staged…

All Photos © Matt Weber

Matt Weber (Street photography), homeless, Subway

Subway Panhandler “Broadway Local” 2004

This recession or depression is starting to affect almost everyone I know. Even my friend the eye doctor has noticed that his customers are starting to resort to a little duct tape or crazy glue, as they try to fix their own glasses.

Over the past years I have lamented the fact that I sold my taxi medallion and now, it’s starting to creep up into the back of my mind again. There’s an old movie (The Roaring Twenties) where Humphrey Bogart, who owns a fleet of taxi cabs, gives a single medallion to James Cagney and tells him “One day you’ll be glad you have this” Cagney, who was playing a big shot in the movie laughed and dismissed the idea that he would ever have to push a hack. Fast forward a few minutes in the film and lo and behold, Cagney’s wearing his hack license ( a badge in the old days) on his cap. He then stops his cab and picks up the love of his life. She of course recognizes Cagney and after some pleasant words gives him a nice tip…

The point is, I sure wish I still had that one lousy fucking medallion…

Matt Weber (Street photography), Portraits

“The Greatest Generation” Dobbs Ferry N.Y. 1997

Tom Brokaw labeled them “The Greatest Generation” and I can’t argue with that. The people sitting on this bench were all adults during WW II and I’m guessing that most of them did their part.

This morning was Memorial day and I was watching heartbroken parents crying at the graves of their kids. This was one documentary that was very hard to watch. I think that it is important to pay respect to the countless soldiers who have died for our country. The thing that makes me mad today is that so many have died based on BULLSHIT A.K.A. “bad intel.” As much as Bush & Cheney were to blame, I think the person who bothers me the most is, Colin Powell. He was the guy you could “trust” and he used that trust to make the upcoming war seem OK…It worked on me. I figured he wouldn’t lie and I had a very young child at the time. The mushroom cloud scenario he described was enough to make me, a lifelong anti war liberal, reluctantly agree that we should make a preemptive  attack and I still don’t forgive him for that. He knew better and decided that loyalty to his superiors was more important than loyalty to his troops. He did the thing any good company man would do, but sacrificed thousands of young Americans in the process… His newly found guilt and regrets are not nearly enough to make me forgive him…

All Photos © Matt Weber

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

NYC 2009

As a novice when it comes to shooting color, I like this picture because the color is used sparingly. After a quarter century of just shooting without too much thought, this additional element (color) is challenging my last couple of brain cells. Normally I would have been pleased with all the rectangles and triangles in this picture, but the yellow helmet has added a focal point which wouldn’t have existed in black & white, and I guess it might even be…better? Ah, such confusion this has wrought on my soul…

All Photos © Matt Weber

Matt Weber 9/11 Related, Old New York

World Trade Center 1988

I keep finding pictures of these buildings which at the time of exposure, seemed pretty ugly to me. I’m happy I took the few pictures I did. I sometimes wonder if building another 100+ story building at the site is a smart idea. I understand the desire to replace the twin towers with something magnificent, but at the same time, it seems like the new tower will be shouting “I dare you to knock me down!” Maybe a few 50-60 story towers would have been wiser…

All Photos © Matt Weber

Matt Weber (Street photography), Kids & Teens, Offspring

NYC 2008

I think this is a pretty decent photograph. I go out of my way to get a very talented guitarist to sing Happy Birthday to my daughter, and he’s rocking his butt off, but my kid is much more concerned with what her friends are doing. It could have been Jimi Hendrix and she would still say “who cares, he’s boring daddy”…

All Photos © Matt Weber