Weegee (The Aperture history photography series ; 8)

Weegee the famous, as he liked to be called, was a major influence in the field of newspaper photography. Persistent and aggressive behind the camera, he always made sure that he was at the forefront of breaking news. As a photographer he went to the heart of ugly situations to illustrate the often gruesome realities of life in the city. Weegee's images scream at their audience. An assault to the eyes was created through his use of the flash's severe light; the harsh contrasts and deep shadows that resulted gave his images an extra jolt. Concerned more with the impact of his images than with the artistry, Weegee favored a tone of sarcasm and irony with a touch of compassion in his work. This book presents more than 40 images spanning photojournalist Weegee's career, along with a chronology, exhibition history and selected bibliography. Drawn from the International Center of Photography's archives, this book highlights the fascinating career of Weegee, one of New York's quintessential press photographers. For a decade between 1935 and 1946, Weegee made a name for himself snapping crime scenes, victims and perpetrators. Armed with a Speed Graphic camera and a police-band radio, Weegee often beat the cops to the story, determined to sell his pictures to the sensation-hungry tabloids. His stark black-and-white photos were often lurid and unsettling. Yet, as this book shows, they were also brimming with humanity.