Date of Birth: June 12, 1899
Zodiac Sign: Gemini
Date of Death: December 26, 1968
Biography
Weegee, born Arthur Fellig on June 12, 1899, in Złoczów, Austria-Hungary (modern-day Zolochiv, Ukraine), was a prominent photographer and photojournalist known for his stark black-and-white street photography in New York City. His work focused on crime scenes, emergencies, and the gritty, raw side of urban life. Weegee emigrated to the United States with his family in 1909, settling in New York City. He began his career as a darkroom technician for Acme Newspictures (later United Press International Photos) before venturing out as a freelance news photographer in the 1930s. He earned the nickname “Weegee” because of his uncanny ability to arrive at crime scenes before the police, allegedly as if he had a Ouija board predicting the events. Weegee’s work is characterized by its unflinching realism and dramatic compositions, often illuminated by his signature use of flash. Weegee’s photographs were published in leading newspapers and magazines, and he became a celebrated figure in the art world. He published several books, including “Naked City” (1945), which was later adapted into a film. In the 1950s, Weegee expanded his talents to filmmaking, special effects, and even acted in small roles. He passed away on December 26, 1968, in New York City.
5 Interesting Facts about Weegee
1. Weegee often developed his photographs in a makeshift darkroom in the trunk of his car.
2. He was the only New York City photographer with a permit to have a police-band shortwave radio, allowing him to get to crime scenes quickly.
3. Weegee’s first book, “Naked City,” inspired the 1948 film of the same name and the television series “Naked City” that aired from 1958 to 1963.
4. He experimented with distorted lens photography later in his career, creating surreal and abstract images.
5. Weegee’s work has been exhibited in major museums, including the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the International Center of Photography.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Weegee
1. “To me, a photograph is a page from life, and that being the case, it must be real.”
2. “You can’t tell the whole story in one picture.”
3. “I had so much fun in those days. I was the only one who had a car and a radio and a speed graphic camera.”
4. “People are so wonderful that a photographer has only to wait for that breathless moment to capture what he wants on film.”
5. “F8 and be there.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Weegee’s net worth at the peak of his career is not well-documented, but his influence and legacy in photography are invaluable.
Children
Weegee did not have any children.
Relevant Links
2. [Weegee – MoMA Collection](https://www.moma.org/artists/6293
3. [Weegee Biography – The Art Story](https://www.theartstory.org/artist/weegee/life-and-legacy/
4. [Weegee – Encyclopedia Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Weegee
5. [Weegee – Magnum Photos](https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/weegee/
