Weegee's World [Hardcover]

Weegee (Photographer) (Author), Alain Bergala (Author), Ellen Handy (Author), Miles Barth (Author), International Center of Photography (Author), Arthur 'Weegee' Fellig (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1997

Weegee was the archetypal hard-boiled tabloid photographer. From the 1930s to the 1960s his images of murder, mayhem and the seamy inderside of New York set a new standard for immediacy and wit - and influenced a generation of of imitators. Working with a Speed Graphic and an on-camera flash, he shot in a stark, punchy, in-your-face style, often capturing his subjects in a startling blast of light. This retrospective showcases his jolting work - and captures bygone New York at its most raucous, dangerous and outrageous. Here are Weegee's grisly murders, shocking accidents, gawking crowds and other signature crime-and-disaster shots, along with his equally arresting human interest and high society images - 265 high-impact images in all. The volume includes interpretive essays, an annotated chronology and other documentation.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...as complete a record of the world's most notorious news photographer as we are ever likely to need.... Gangland rubouts, suicides and accident victims were his specialty, but he also excelled at capturing the expressions of onlookers as they gazed on the grisly scenes. -- The New York Times Book Review, Andy Grundberg

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: French

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Bulfinch Press; First Edition edition (November 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0821223755
• ISBN-13: 978-0821223758
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #233,865 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Pictures Combined with Words, June 9, 2000

By 

Gayle Alstrom (Staten Island, New York, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Weegee's World (Hardcover)

This wonderful book not only includes all of Weegee's (Arthur Fellig) greatest photos, but includes three in-dept essays on his work by Miles Barth, Alain Bergala and Ellen Handy. Weegee raised the craft of photojournalism to the level of art by his talent to show the essence of any situtation without any discrimination between social classes. Besides his pictures expressing the entire human condition, they also story-tell New York City circa mid-century. This is a book that is essential for anyone who wants a comprehensive photographic library.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just tabloid photos..., July 24, 2002

By 

Noah Spurrier (SAN FRANCISCO, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Weegee's World (Hardcover)

Weegee is best known for his photos of "rubouts, suicides and
accident victims", but I think those photos are his
least interesting. He has a talent for capturing ordinary
life as well. His photos are warm and real. Often times I
find old photos make the subjects appear remote and distant
in time, but Weegee's photos break through that barrier.
You don't feel like you are looking at old pictures.
His photos transcend nostalgia.

5.0 out of 5 stars Profound photography, November 7, 2011

By 

rye "rye" (michigan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Weegee's World (Hardcover)

The photos are quite profound - and erie... It's a glimpse into the public and private lives of people you don't know, yet intrigue you. It's kind of mezmerizing. I found myself intrigued by a photo, then I'd flip to the description in the back of the book, and then back-again to the photo with a more learned eye. The nighttime lighting reflects the harshness of what's happening...