Matt Weber (Street photography), Coney Island, homeless, Men of New York

Coney Island 2011

John Wayne Handy Jr. 46 years old. He was very upset and we were discussing why god has let him live, while just a day earlier god took the life of an eight year old boy. The boy was from Brooklyn and he was dismembered. He kept moaning “Why didn’t god take me instead”  “I’m just a fucking Wino!” Yes, god was very busy rooting for the Yankees since he is also their pitching coach…

 

© Matt Weber

Matt Weber (Street photography), Times Square

“Hellbound” Times Sq. 2010

This fellow is upset because I’m in his face and he says I’m being disrespectful. I think he’s being disrespectful by telling me that I’m going to Hell. If that’s true, it shouldn’t be just because I’m Caucasian. I think Hell should be earned, not a birthright. These guys have always bothered me. Most religious people bother me. They are so certain I’m going to Hell, while at same time being equally assured that they are Heaven bound…Must be nice.

All Photos © 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), Color, Men of New York

“Black Jew” 2010

Considering how hard it must be for him sometimes, you’d think the white guys at B& H would treat him like a celebrity. He seemed to be getting the cold shoulder while I was there. I don’t like any fundamental religions, but I guess there’s a good reason for everything they do…The black Jews at Times Square are a different story. They are very old testament, fire breathing, hell promoting, and angry at all white people. They are generally a pain in the butt to try and have a simple conversation with…

All Photos © Matt Weber

Matt Weber (Street photography), 9/11 Related, Men of New York, Portraits, Subway

Subway “9/11 Hero” 2005

There are all sorts of heroes in this world. There are the athletes that some of us root for as kids or even worse, still do as adults. Then there are the underpaid nurses who care for us when we get old, barely making ends meet, as they meet our rear ends with a towel…This fellow spent time at ground zero, and whether or not he had to deal with body parts, he surely had to breath those noxious fumes which lingered for several months. The smell of all the metal, plastics and who knows what burning, was so vile that breathing it on a daily basis, could make even the toughest people sick. His eyes seemed to have seen the worst of it, and I think he gave a lot more than most of us did after the terrible massacre on 9/11…making him a true hero.

All Photos © Matt Weber

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 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 9/11 Related

September 11th 2001

“Ciao Bella” Turns out to be an Italian song from WW II…Very ironic first verse:

One morning I awakened

Oh goodbye beautiful, goodbye beautiful, goodbye beautiful! Bye! Bye!

One morning I awakened

And I found the invader


All Photos © 2001 Matt Weber