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

“The Deuce” 1985

This is one of the first pictures I took that has some historical significance. Driving across “The Deuce” in my taxi, I was still 26 years old. That’s half a lifetime ago. I would probably have had my doors locked and been fairly alert, as the block was loaded with some pretty scary people. Now a quarter century later, the block is clean and almost safe for the tourists 24 hours a day. I want to lament the changes, but when I remember how bad the place was, I have to admit that nostalgia can even make us miss a cesspool like the old 42d Street. I was threatened several times, not for taking anyone’s picture, but merely for carrying a camera down that block. Fifteen year old prostitutes and their pimps were nothing but sad, and people selling fake drugs didn’t make me think “The Deuce” was where it was at. It’s just now, many years later that the new sterile version has made many of us wish for the days, when not being mugged on “The Deuce” was a major accomplishment…

© Matt Weber

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