esrosedotblog

WEEGEE

When I was a kid, we took the NY Daily News, a gritty tabloid that my dad read cover to cover.

And, as soon as I was old enough, I read it cover to cover too.

I remember particular parts like The Enquiring Reporter in which people in the street responded to the daily question. Some of the responses were hilarious. Some scary.

Years later, the comedian Steve Allen built a whole segment of his show around reading these in a highly inflamed, irate voice.

Before I could read the paper though, there were the pictures—sensational, sexy, sordid photographs. Not the kind of thing you wanted children to see.

My parents were remarkably liberal or naive about this. I read and saw everything in the paper and avidly searched for the grisly and outrageous.

There was a particular photographer, Weegee. His stuff was great. I always looked forward to seeing a photo to his credit. Without knowing it, I developed an awareness of his work. I could pick a Weegee photo out instantly.

I didn't know that he was great too. Perhaps even he did not know at the time—the forties.

Here is a great summary of his work. Do not miss the slide show that goes along with the article although the slides barely scratch the surface. I think because a lot of his stuff would still be copyrighted.

Crime Was Weegee’s Oyster.

Here is my own slide show.

Couple in Trance

Speakeasy

Untitled: Dead Man

Tenement

The Critic