Matt Weber (Street photography), homeless, Old New York, The Urban Prisoner, Times Square

Times Square Region 1989

Many years after I took this picture, a guy I know told me that the gal in the poster is one “Heather Hunter” a pornstar of high repute. Googled her and found out that she retired to try and become a rapper…This picture was one that I always thought did a good job of showing everybody rushing to get home and totally ignoring the poor fellow with the broken leg. I don’t know what it’s like to have to catch the 3:10 to Yuma or anything about living in the burbs, but escaping New York seems understandable, even more so back in the ’80s when New York was at it’s seediest. Of course I’m trying to place myself in the mindset of someone living in Somerville.

All Photos © Matt Weber

Matt Weber (Street photography), Harlem, Old New York, signs

Harlem 1985

Thirty years ago I decided to try and liberate every single Coke button and other vintage advertising sign in the tri-state area…I almost succeeded and all these years later I still don’t know why I spent so many late nights probing for these artifacts, while many of my friends were having the time of their lives at the night clubs downtown.

I like this view of a rundown neighborhood where almost everybody knows everyone on their block and the next few over…

All Photos © Matt Weber

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

NYC 2005

I don’t remember if I liked this movie very much. The habit or practice of photographers placing people next to posters, goes back a very long time. Brassai & HCB both did it in the 1930s and others have been doing it ever since. Bourke White’s view of poor black people lined up under the giant billboard proclaiming how great America was for happy white people, is probably the best example of it working in a way that isn’t just funny. Street photography offers these juxtapositions on occasion and it is very hard to pass on them…I suppose I should work on suppressing the urge when it overcomes me…then again, maybe not.

All Photos © Matt Weber

Matt Weber (Street photography), Urban Wildlife

Central Park 1996

I like shooting infrared film, but it’s tricky and expensive stuff to work with. I only tried it a few times, but maybe down the road I’ll shoot some more…Having this Egret appear and do that thing it does with its leg, made this picture much better I think. There are actually more than Goldfish in the lake. Someone told me there are Carp as well, which is probably what this regal bird was waiting for…

All Photos © Matt Weber