The real-life ‘nightcrawler’ who captured New York’s underbelly

Arthur Fellig, better known by his pseudonym Weegee, wasn’t your typical photographer. While others focused on staged portraits or idyllic landscapes, Weegee craved the raw energy of New York City’s underbelly. This self-taught photographer, born in 1899, rose to prominence in the 1930s and 40s with his stark black and white images capturing the city’s grittier side – crime scenes, police activity, and the raw emotions of everyday people.

Weegee’s hustle was legendary. He developed a reputation for arriving at crime scenes before the police, thanks to a police radio scanner in his car (a rarity for civilians at the time). He sold his photos to tabloids, reveling in the sensational side of city life. But Weegee’s work wasn’t just about shock value. His photos offered a window into a hidden world, a social commentary on a city grappling with economic hardship and rising crime.

While some criticized his work as exploitative, Weegee’s impact is undeniable. He became a pop culture icon, influencing countless artists and filmmakers. His legacy is perhaps best captured in the 2014 film “Nightcrawler” where Jake Gyllenhaal portrays a character eerily similar to Weegee – a relentless freelance videographer who thrives on capturing the city’s darkest moments.

Though Weegee passed away in 1968, his photographs continue to offer a glimpse into a bygone era of New York City. They serve as a reminder of the city’s resilience and the captivating chaos that thrives beneath the surface.