Photographer Of The Week (Weegee)

   

(At an East Side murder, 1943)


     Weegee was born on June 12, 1899, in the town of Lemberg (now in Ukraine). Originally named Usher Fellig he changed his name to Arthur when he moved because he thought it was more American sounding. He moved to New York City at age eleven (1910) however he did not start his work in the photography business until age Fourteen (1914). 

    His first works in photography were as a darkroom technician at Ducket & Alder in lower Manhattan. Self-taught, young Weegee got his start as a photographer in 1918 at a studio in lower Manhattan this led to a plethora of other photography-related jobs until 1935 when he became a freelance Photographer where newspapers would want his photos so badly, they would bid on them.

    Weegee focused most of his work on crime photos/ police headquarters this was his claim to fame. This is also how he gained the nickname Weegee originally after an Ouija board he was always around death/murder hence the saying “Murder is my business” In 1938 Weegee gained permission from the N.Y.P.D. to install a police radio into his car, this would lead him to turn his Chevy into his portable office equipped with a portable dark room, flash bulbs, cigars, etc He continued his crime-centered photos until he moved to Hollywood in 1947. 

    In Hollywood, he shifted his focus to his 16-millimeter films and photographs that would be featured in his “Distortions” series. Mostly made of experimental portraits of political figures and celebrities. His stay in Hollywood ended in 1952. He moved back to New York and lectured as well as wrote about photography until he passed away on December 26, 1968. Weegee wrote several books including Naked City (1945), Weegee's People (1946), and Naked Hollywood (1953). His photos also made it into the Museum of Modern Art in 1943. 


This is my favorite Weegee Photo(On the Spot, December 9, 1939)

Here are some links to more of Weegees photos 

https://artblart.com/2018/09/07/photographs-weegee-arthur-fellig-1899-1968-9-crime-scene-photographs-c-1930s/

https://www.magnumphotos.com/arts-culture/society-arts-culture/new-york-city-by-weegee-the-famous/

https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2012/jan/19/weegee-murder-photographs-pictures-new-york

Sources

“Weegee.” International Center of Photography, 24 Dec. 2022, www.icp.org/browse/archive/constituents/weegee?all%2Fall%2Fall%2Fall%2F0. 

“Weegee.” FAMOUS PHOTOGRAPHERS, www.famousphotographers.net/weegee. Accessed 2 June 2023. 


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