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Weegee

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description Weegee Overview

Arthur Fellig, known as Weegee, was an American photographer who documented New York City’s underbelly during the mid-20th century. His distinctive black and white photographs captured crime scenes, jazz clubs, and street life with a raw immediacy achieved through frequent use of flash photography. He is particularly notable for providing visual records of organized crime and social conditions in post-war America. Weegee's work remains valuable for historians, journalists, and those interested in urban documentary photography.

help Weegee FAQ

Why did Arthur Fellig use the name Weegee?

Arthur Fellig adopted the name Weegee in New York press circles, a nickname linked to the idea that he seemed to arrive at crime scenes as if by Ouija board. He was famous for getting to fires, murders, and arrests quickly in the 1930s and 1940s.

What kind of camera did Weegee use for his crime-scene photographs?

Weegee is strongly associated with a 4x5 Speed Graphic camera and harsh flash photography. That equipment helped create the stark, high-contrast look of his New York night images.

What is Weegee's book Naked City about?

Naked City, published in 1945, collects Weegee's photographs of New York police work, crowds, nightlife, and street life. The title later became associated with the 1948 film The Naked City, which drew on a similar documentary urban mood.

Did Weegee only photograph murders and police scenes?

No. Although his reputation rests on crime scenes and police radio work in New York, Weegee also photographed movie theaters, beach crowds at Coney Island, children, celebrities, and late-night social life.