Weegee (Arthur Fellig)

Weegee: The Master of Raw Urban Storytelling

Introduction

Weegee (Arthur Fellig, 1899–1968) was one of the most iconic and influential street photographers of the 20th century. Known for his stark, high-contrast black-and-white images of New York City’s crime scenes, nightlife, and urban chaos, Weegee captured the raw, unfiltered essence of mid-century America. His work blended photojournalism with a unique artistic sensibility, making him a pioneer in documenting the gritty reality of city life. Weegee’s ability to arrive at the scene of an event before anyone else—earning him his nickname from the Ouija board—cemented his legend as a photographer who was always in the right place at the right time.

Camera Gear Used by Weegee

Cameras

4×5 Speed Graphic – Weegee’s primary camera, renowned for its durability and reliability. He used this large-format press camera for its ability to produce high-quality, detailed negatives, even in low-light conditions.

Burke & James Press Camera – Another large-format camera occasionally used for its robustness and compatibility with flashbulbs.

Lenses

Kodak Ektar 127mm f/4.7 – His most-used lens on the Speed Graphic, known for its sharpness and ability to render fine details even in challenging lighting.

Flash & Lighting

Pressbulb25 flashbulbs – Weegee relied on these flashbulbs, synchronized with a Graflex flash unit, to illuminate his subjects in dark or nighttime settings. His use of flash created the signature high-contrast, dramatic lighting that defined his style.
Handheld flashlight – Used to adjust camera settings in the dark and to add additional light when needed.

Film & Printing

Super Pancro Press Type B – Weegee’s film of choice for its high speed and ability to capture detail in low-light conditions.
Silver gelatin prints – He printed his images in the darkroom, often in his car, emphasizing deep blacks, bright highlights, and a gritty, textured quality.

Technique & Style

Weegee’s style was defined by high contrast, dramatic lighting, and an unflinching focus on the raw realities of urban life. His images often feature confrontational compositions, with subjects lit harshly by flashbulbs against dark backgrounds. Weegee’s ability to capture the emotional intensity of a moment—whether in crime scenes, street portraits, or nightlife—set his work apart. He embraced imperfections like grain and blur, using them to enhance the immediacy and authenticity of his photographs. Later in his career, Weegee experimented with distortions, multiple exposures, and surreal effects, pushing the boundaries of traditional photojournalism.

How to Imitate His Style in Post Production

You can use Pixlr, a really powerful and cost-effective software, to emulate Weegee’s signature look. Pixlr offers advanced editing tools, an intuitive interface, and cloud-based accessibility, making it ideal for both beginners and professionals. To recreate Weegee’s style:

Convert your image to black and white and increase contrast dramatically to achieve the stark, high-contrast effect that defines his work.
Boost clarity and sharpness to emphasize textures and details, replicating the gritty quality of his flash-lit scenes.
Use the dodge and burn tools to deepen shadows and enhance highlights, creating a sense of drama and depth.
Add grain to mimic the organic, textured feel of his film and printing process.
Crop tightly and use bold compositions to draw attention to your subject, just as Weegee framed his iconic images.

How to Shoot Like Weegee

Shoot at night – Weegee’s most famous images were taken after dark. Use a flash to freeze motion and create dramatic lighting, even in low-light conditions.
Preset your camera – Weegee often set his camera to f/16 at 1/200th of a second, with a focus distance of 10 feet. This allowed him to shoot quickly and react to unfolding events without adjusting settings.
Get close to your subjects – Weegee’s confrontational style involved shooting at close range, often within 6 to 10 feet of his subjects, to capture their raw emotions and expressions.
Embrace imperfections – Don’t shy away from grain, blur, or harsh shadows. Weegee saw these as part of the story, adding authenticity and immediacy to his images.
Use a wide-angle or standard lens – These lenses allowed Weegee to capture both the subject and their environment, providing context and depth to his photographs.
Experiment with distortions – Later in his career, Weegee played with prisms, multiple exposures, and unconventional framing to create surreal, thought-provoking images.

Legacy

Weegee’s influence on photography is immeasurable. His raw, unfiltered approach to documenting urban life challenged the conventions of photojournalism and fine art, blurring the lines between the two. Weegee’s work remains a benchmark for capturing the human condition in all its complexity—from the tragic to the absurd. His books, exhibitions, and experimental projects continue to inspire photographers to embrace boldness, authenticity, and a deep connection to their subjects. Weegee’s legacy is not just in his iconic images but in his fearless spirit and his ability to reveal the hidden stories of the city.

Books Featuring Weegee’s Work

Naked City (1945) – Weegee’s seminal book, capturing the grit and drama of New York City’s streets, crime scenes, and nightlife.

see it on Amazon

Weegee’s People (1946) – A collection of portraits and street scenes, showcasing his ability to reveal the humanity behind the headlines.
Naked Hollywood (1953) – A satirical look at the glamour and absurdity of Hollywood, featuring Weegee’s signature distortions and experimental techniques.
Weegee’s Secrets of Shooting with Photoflash (1953) – A practical guide to his techniques, offering insights into his use of flash and composition.
Weegee: Society of the Spectacle (2022) – A comprehensive retrospective, reframing his legacy and exploring the full range of his work, from crime scenes to celebrity culture.